Egypt

WER met with Egypt's Tourism Minister, Dr Mamdouh El Beltagi, and asked him about the current state of the sector.

WER: Following global events last year, what message would you like to convey about safety in Egypt?

El Beltagi: I would like to reaffirm that Egypt is a peacemaking nation that has managed to uproot terrorism. Our country now enjoys a state of complete stability, security and serenity, and is receiving guests with utmost hospitality. Security procedures that have prevailed since four years ago have proven to be completely effective.

WER: You have stated you would like to double tourism figures to 9.5 million by the year 2005. What infrastructure developments need to be in place to house the arrivals?
Mamdouh El-Beltagi, the Egyptian tourism minister

El-Beltagi: In the period of less than six years, approximately 30,000 rooms were built in tourist resorts - on land supervised by the Ministry of Tourism only. The investment cost for this capacity was LE6.2 billion, in addition to 63,000 rooms, which are under construction at an investment of more than LE 10 billion. This is of course in line with the development of sewage systems, electric power stations, road networks, telephone communication, tourist leisure, shopping centers, and employee housing. It is only natural that this development leads to an increase of foreign tourists visiting Egypt.

WER: How do you rate the importance of Japanese tourism and investment for your country?

El-Beltagi: In the year 2000 Egypt received 58.78 percent more Japanese visitors than in 1999. Japanese tourists are very much respected and highly appreciated in Egypt, and we are working hard to increase their number. We are carrying out a promotional, communication and advertising campaign in Japan, and want to promote Egypt as a unique travel destination for Japanese.

WER: What are your personal goals for the next 3 to 5 year period?

El-Beltagi: My hopes for the coming year are based on the deep confidence in the diversity and distinction of the Egyptian tourist attractions. Egypt is the cradle of civilizations. This makes any visit to Egypt an individual human experience and an unforgettable pleasure. Therefore I hope that tourism will flourish and that Egypt will acquire its fair and deserved market share of the international tourist travel.

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