Egypt orders hotels to ban men from work in women's spas

[DJKeefy]

Egypt has ordered hotels nationwide to block men from working in hotel women’s spas, in order to combat sexual harassment of tourists, Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou stated Sunday.

Any hotel spa that violates the ministerial decision will be shut. If the violation is later repeated, the tourism ministry will withdraw the spa’s licence and cut the rating of the hotel, Zaazou added.

Zaazou said the decree is one among a series of measures the ministry is undertaking to eradicate sexual harassment of tourists, considered a stigma on Egypt’s reputation.

According to the statement, Egypt will offer training courses for police officers in writing reports on sexual harassment incidents, to help the public prosecution determine proper penalties.

Earlier this month Zaazou announced that hotels would be closed if staff were found to have sexually harassed tourists.

The tourism ministry has recorded 150 cases of sexual harassment against tourists over the last two years. There have also been three recorded rapes in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

Egypt received roughly 2.86 million tourists during the first quarter of 2013 — a 14.4 percent rise compared with the same period of last year, but still below levels reached in 2010, when an estimated 14.7 million tourists visited Egypt, generating $12.5 billion in revenue.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/72376.aspx

[Dusak]

Probably ten years or so to late and no chance of ever catching the horse now that the stable doors have fell off, but at least its a start in the right direction.

[dsaxelby]

Had a massage in Sharm by a woman, who seemed a little free with her little finger never had one since

Saying that we always visit the Spa and have my hair done by a man (Magid) excellent chappie, I will be really sad if he longer can operate through the hotels

Once again instead of punishing the guilty offenders and I am sure they are easily identified they punish everyone.

[Hafiz]

Seems sensible and smart. Places the obligation on the business owner to properly hire, manage and discipline. Gives owner a real financial incentive to prevent these abuses. Better than dealing with abuses after the horse has bolted.

The training of police in handling sexual assault allegations should be applauded.

Dusak says it is 10 years too late. If it is 10 years too late, blame those in power for most of those 10 years, not the 'dreaded' brothers.

Dsaxelby says that instead of the offender everyone is to be punished. Is she claiming that she knows there will be no prosecution of the offender? Did she report the finger lady to the hotel or the police to allow a prosecution or discipline by her boss? Making managers responsible for their workers is not unusual in the west.

I know the brothers frighten the hell out of people but is there nothing they can be applauded for?

[LovelyLadyLux]

I've gone to Spa Resorts in Mexico where the Spa staff are probably 50/50 male female. When you book at Spa Reception what you want done you are asked if you want male or female staff for your treatment. I've never experienced or know of anybody who has had less than professional and appropriate service. At the end of each treatment you are escorted out to an exit reception who asks how everything was/is and then you fill out a short questionnaire in a book where you can put comments and are asked for improvements. Receptions gives you this to fill out and makes it seem mandatory in that you can write as much or as little as you feel inclined to.

[Dusak]

I was holding no one in particular accountable, just the usual mode of disinterest were assaults on females are concerned. Probably should of said 100 years to late.