Egypt targets 20 million tourists by 2020        

Tourism Minister Khaled Rami presented his ministry’s strategy to reach 20 million tourist by 2020, according to a statement after a press conference held by the minister in London. The strategy will occur through varied marketing activities and effective contribution with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to launch new flight lines. The integrated promotional campaign regarding Egypt’s touristic destinations will be launched in the next few months, Rami said. He added that 17 companies have applied to the tender to implement the campaign that targets 27 touristic markets. Rami highlighted the significance of British tourists visiting Egypt, noting that statistics showed a 20% increase in tourists from the UK over the first quarter (Q1) of 2015, compared to the same period last year. The ministry and the Tourism Activation Authority (TAA) also seek promoting tourism to Luxor and Aswan, Rami added, pointing out that 25% of the expected campaign is oriented to cultural and Nile tourism. He further pointed to the security procedures being undertaken by Egyptian authorities in order to secure touristic destinations. The Ministry of Tourism is also studying the suspension of “charter flights stimulation”to Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada without any prejudice to it in Luxor, Aswan, Marsa Alam, Taba, El Alamein and Matruh. Regarding the supervision of diving centers, Rami clarified that all of them are licensed according to ISO standards, while the ministry is the authority that gives them licenses. Rami also noted that on 5 June, 450 divers from around the world will participate in a green environment initiative to clean the bottom of the Red Sea in Hurghada. As for the touristic development plan along the North Coast, Rami said the shore of the Mediterranean lacked planning in the past 10 years. He also said the ministry is willing to launch the New El Alamein City, and that there are three airports in this zone but that it needs more hotels and services. Regarding the expected launching of electronic visas, Rami stated that the Egyptian Authorities have decided to continue granting individual visas upon arrival until the beginning of work with electronic visas in the upcoming months. Daily News Egypt 28 May