Tourism is Egypt's most lucrative economic activity. It far surpasses the Suez Canal in revenue. We harass, hassle and hustle our clients. Instead of viewing tourists as valued guests, we look upon them as walking wallets. Enter a tourist into any major site and vendors clamour for attention.
Merchants run in high pursuit offering their wares.
What they offer is nothing more than cheap imitations at outrageous prices. I myself was accosted on several occasions. Interestingly, once I spoke and the vendors realised I was an Egyptian, their whole attitude changed. It is my sincere hope I shamed some of them. The result of all this unseemly chaos is that nobody buys anything.