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CNN's Travel Trends Features Red Sea Mountain Trail


Sat 24 Aug 2019 | 12:25 AM
Hassan El-Khawaga

CNN's Travel Trends showcased, during CNN Newsroom TV program, footage promoting adventure travel in Egypt. The video was filmed in the Red Sea Mountain Trail. That's CNN's first time to film in this unique area.

Max Foster, a CNN broadcaster, said that the Red Sea Mountain Trail is located near Hurghada city, a matter that represents an opportunity for tourists to mix between beach tourism and adventure travel to see the various wild nature in Egypt and get acquainted with the area's culture.

[caption id="attachment_73770" align="aligncenter" width="785"]Max Foster of CNN Max Foster of CNN[/caption]

On her part, Tourism Minister Dr. Rania Al Mashat pointed out that adventure travel is one of the most growing types in the tourism sector lately and most common among youth, adding: "It represents a great portion of the international tourism."

"Hiking is one of the sustainable tourism's aspects," Mashat stated, noting that the trail is a socio-tourism project which aims to maintain the Red Sea environment and support its residents by offering jobs to them related to their activities and industries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eeCDQfqaMQ

"Bedouins of the Maaza tribe are responsible for organizing hiking trips in the trail, as they are so familiar with the area and its trails," the minister said.

Hiking shed lights on the area's residents, a matter comes in line with 'People to People' Campaign which aims to show the Egyptian people's features and 'Branding by Destination' Campaign that is a part of the promotion and marketing axis of Egypt-Tourism Reform Program (E-TRP).

During the film, Co-founder of the Sinai Trail & Red Sea Mountain Trail Ben Hoffler said that although the trail is new, it consists of a network of the old ways which Bedouins used for centuries for travel, trade, and hunting.

[caption id="attachment_73768" align="aligncenter" width="992"]Omar Samra and A Group of Tourists in the Red Sea Mountain Trail Omar Samra and A Group of Tourists in the Red Sea Mountain Trail[/caption]

Hoffler stressed the importance of the Red Sea mountains historically, as Pharaohs, Ptolemies, and Romans passed by this trail, adding that this trail offers an opportunity for its residents to showcase their traditions and heritage for the world.

Meanwhile, Egypt's adventurer Samra noted that the tribes always repair the trail, noting: "Developing trails for tourism is now a trend and it is growing very fast."

[caption id="attachment_73769" align="aligncenter" width="985"]A Group of Tourists in The Red Sea Mountain Trail A Group of Tourists in The Red Sea Mountain Trail[/caption]

The 170-kilometer-trail takes 10 days to complete as its beginning is near Hurghada airport. It offers a wonderful experience for travelers to see the rich wildlife's beauty and the Red Sea mountains.

It is worth mentioning that CNN interviewed the American rapper Russ after his concert in New Alamein city in conjunction with the appearance of #MyEgypt hashtag which was launched by the Tourism Ministry in cooperation with the international network.