Tourism sector stands out for stable growth

Report 4-2/2010
While many countries dream of higher tourism figures, few manage to achieve them at the moment. Not so for Egypt, which knows how to turn the many benefits of the country into long-term, positive results. Tourism revenues in Q4 2009 were some USD 2.77 billion, a year-on-year increase of 13%.  For 2010, the Ministry of Tourism has forecast approximately 14 million tourists and revenues of USD 11.5 billion (+6.5%). Most tourists come from Russia (2 million), the UK (1.4 million) and Germany (1.2 million). The occupancy rate (of 215,000 rooms) was approximately 65% in January 2010 (+15%); in the MENA region it was about 54% (-2.5%).
At currently some 40,000 rooms, the Hurghada region and the Sahl Hasheesh Resort play a key role in achieving the country's tourism targets.