Arab tourists to Egypt increased 20.9 per cent from January to April this year when compared to the same period last year, Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) has recently announced.
Arab tourists comprised 17per cent of the total number of tourists who visited Egypt during the first four months of 2015, compared to 15 per cent in the same period in 2014.
This positive trend continues as the Ministry of Tourism ramps up efforts on its recently launched campaign ‘Masr Qariba’, which translates to ‘Egypt is close’.
The campaign aims to attract Arab tourists, with a special focus on the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait markets, by highlighting Egypt’s proximity, on a geographical, cultural, historical and social level.
Additionally, Egypt will soon be launching its new global advertising and publicity campaign that will shed light on cultural tourism where 20 to 25 per cent of the campaign’s budget will be allocated towards promoting cultural tourism in Egypt. The new campaign specifically targets restoring tourism to cultural destinations by creating tourist packages that combine visits to cultural destinations with opportunities to stay at beach resorts.
EMIRATI TOURISTS
Statistics reflect an increase in Emirati tourists by 49.8 per cent during the first four months of 2015 compared to the same period last year. In April 2015 itself, the number of Emirati tourists who visited Egypt increased by 36.4 per cent compared to April 2014. In addition, the number of Emirati tourists staying in hotels and nights spent in Egypt during April 2015 has increased by 22.3 per cent compared to April 2014.
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Sharm El Sheikh, southern edge of the Sinai Peninsula |
SAUDI INTEREST
Statistics also show an increase in Saudi tourists by 69.9 per cent during the first four months of 2015 compared to the same period last year. In April 2015 itself, Saudi tourists to Egypt increased by 57.3 per cent compared to April 2014. Furthermore, during April 2015 Saudi Arabia ranked fifth in terms of the number of tourists and nights spent in Egypt. These rankings also held true across all the statistics for the first four months of this year.
KUWAITI INFLUX
An increase in Kuwaiti tourists has also been noted, at 37.1 per cent during the first four months of 2015 compared to the same period last year. Similarly, in April 2015, the number of Kuwaiti tourists who visited Egypt increased by 20.2 per cent compared to April 2014. Hotel nights by Kuwaiti tourists increased by 17.6 per cent compared to April 2014.
Sami Mahmoud, chairman of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, says: “We are delighted to witness the continued growth in the number of tourists coming to Egypt. The diversity of our tourism offerings and destinations demonstrates the competitiveness of the Egyptian tourism sector in the region and the world. These figures also reinforce Egypt’s position as a tourism hub for cultural, artistic and entertainment events in the region.”
He continues: “The launch of the ‘Masr Qariba’ campaign underlines the geographical, cultural and social proximity that we enjoy with our Arab neighbours who Egypt welcomes all year long by offering attractive tourism deals at competitive costs and with great added value.
“These statistics also confirm Egypt’s position as a leading tourism destination in the region as it remains one the most secure destinations for Arab and foreign tourists who are dearly valued by Egypt’s people and government.”
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Y-o-y increase in tourists from Jan to April 2015
Region Increase
Arab 20.9%
Emirati tourists 49.8%
Kuwaiti tourists 37.1%
Saudi tourists 69.9%
Around the world 7.4%