Egypt Concludes Participation in ITB Berlin, Fruitful Outcomes

By Hassan El-Khawaga

CAIRO, March 11 (SEE) - The Tourism Ministry on Sunday concluded its activities in ITB Berlin, that kicked off on Wednesday, where the ministry's team spared no effort to boost the numbers of tourists flocking to Egypt and develop the industry in modern ways.

The Egyptian pavilion, which included a 3D hologram of the golden mask and throne of Tutankhamun alongside with other technologies, witnessed a high turnout from the attendees who were keen on knowing more about Egypt's tourist destinations.

In this context, Tourism Minister Rania Al Mashat held a series of interviews with media outlets during her partaking in the event, including Euronews, Handelsblatt newspaper, Fvw magazine, and an Bord magazine.

During these interviews, Mashat reviewed developments of the tourism sector and improve in the incoming tourism to Egypt. She cited media positive reports about Egypt’s selection as one of the best destinations in 2019.

The ministry’s vision of developing the tourism industry comes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," the minister told Euronews. She added that Egypt will build a new airport, the Sphinx International Airport, located in the outskirts of Cairo to ease some of the congestion in Cairo’s main airport. The move would allow tourists to travel faster to different tourist destinations, such as the new Egyptian art museum opening next year and the Red Sea resorts on Egypt's shore.

Mashat noted that the government was also considering building monorails and extending the metro lines to ease trafficjam in Cairo.

She pointed out that Egypt is full of undiscovered tourist attractions like the natural reserves, Saint Catherine's Mountain Hiking Trail, and Nuweiba.

At the level of bilateral meetings, the minister held talks with tour operators' officials on tackling better ways to attract tourists here.

On Thursday, Mashat met with Friedrich Joussen, the CEO of TUI Group to discuss cooperation on increasing the incoming Chinese tourism to Egypt.

Joussen, on his part, welcomed the matter and pointed out that his company would consider cooperation with its partners in China to attract tourists to Egypt.

"TUI is set to open new three hotels in Hurghada soon," he announced, adding that the group studies the possibility of bolstering its investments in Marsa Alam.

"All group's flights are back to Luxor again," he underscored.

During the meeting, Mashat mentioned that there is a comprehensive plan to improve the quality of services offered to the tourists, including upgrading the Egyptian hotels' classification standards.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Youssef, the head of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, conferred with officials at Expedia, a technology group, as they touched on ways of launching a marketing campaign for tourist destinations in Egypt.

He also met with representatives of Corendon tour company which vowed to increase the number of Polish and Belgium tourists to Luxor.

ITB Berlin is known to be the world's largest tourism trade fair. The companies, represented at the fair include hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, system providers, and airlines. It takes place annually in March at the Messe Berlin.