Private sector investments in tourist projects have increased in the first half of the year to well over LE8.1 billion. After a peak in tourism in 1992, when the number of tourists totalled 3.2 million, the figure dropped dramatically. Egypt was excluded from the itineraries of foreign travel agencies. Western media contributed to creating a negative unjust image about the country. As a natural result, tourist development projects were put on the back-burner.
Figures speak better than words.
Accordingly the tourism industry now stands to occupy second place in the order of Egyptian hard-currency generating sectors. The main point here is to energize in-coming tourism as well as diversify tourist exporting markets by adding such countries as Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Russia as well as the Latin American markets. It is important to upgrade the skills of the human element. The information center at the ministry is now logged onto the Internet. Investments in tourist projects are encouraged.