Egypt looks to develop Mediterranean coast
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:18 am
http://www.ttgdigital.com/news/egypt-lo ... 41.article
Egypt looks to develop Mediterranean coast
A plan to develop Egypt’s Mediterranean coast for tourists could be one step closer as the country’s government prepares to host an economic summit next month
Tourism minister Hisham Zaazou said the project would be one of several showcased to external investors in a bid to boost Egypt’s economy. If approved he said it would mean the government would be able to add more rooms to the region, which currently has less than 15,000.
Zaazou said: “One of the projects we are offering is the development of our north coast and our Mediterranean coast. It is brilliantly located, you are at least an hour closer for those operating a charter airline.
“The sand and the sea quality can compete with all those Caribbean-style beaches and you’re only three hours from Cairo to visit the pyramids and less than two to visit Alexandria.”
He added the proximity of these cities, as well as other historical sites such as El Alamein, would mean the region could also cater for the one in five tourists who visit the country for its culture, while four airports already there should help with flights.
Zaazou added any new development would target both the mass and luxury markets, although he admitted more may need to be done to attract high-spending clients.
The Mediterranean development is still in the planning stages, but work on the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is continuing and the property, the largest archaeological museum in the world once completed later this year, may also benefit from a new airport being built nearby.
Amani Fouad, vice-president of ground handling agency Excel Travel, said: “The plan is to have an airport built over there [Giza] so you can avoid the Cairo traffic, which is a nightmare.”
President and chief executive of the company George Fawzi said he was positive Egypt had turned a corner in its tourism recovery as the Mice market once again picks up: “We’re seeing enquiries coming in.”
Egypt looks to develop Mediterranean coast
A plan to develop Egypt’s Mediterranean coast for tourists could be one step closer as the country’s government prepares to host an economic summit next month
Tourism minister Hisham Zaazou said the project would be one of several showcased to external investors in a bid to boost Egypt’s economy. If approved he said it would mean the government would be able to add more rooms to the region, which currently has less than 15,000.
Zaazou said: “One of the projects we are offering is the development of our north coast and our Mediterranean coast. It is brilliantly located, you are at least an hour closer for those operating a charter airline.
“The sand and the sea quality can compete with all those Caribbean-style beaches and you’re only three hours from Cairo to visit the pyramids and less than two to visit Alexandria.”
He added the proximity of these cities, as well as other historical sites such as El Alamein, would mean the region could also cater for the one in five tourists who visit the country for its culture, while four airports already there should help with flights.
Zaazou added any new development would target both the mass and luxury markets, although he admitted more may need to be done to attract high-spending clients.
The Mediterranean development is still in the planning stages, but work on the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza is continuing and the property, the largest archaeological museum in the world once completed later this year, may also benefit from a new airport being built nearby.
Amani Fouad, vice-president of ground handling agency Excel Travel, said: “The plan is to have an airport built over there [Giza] so you can avoid the Cairo traffic, which is a nightmare.”
President and chief executive of the company George Fawzi said he was positive Egypt had turned a corner in its tourism recovery as the Mice market once again picks up: “We’re seeing enquiries coming in.”
