JEDDAH: A delegation from the Egyptian Tourist Authority visited Jeddah Sunday aimed at promoting Egypt tourism. Under the theme "Egypt where all it begins", the group endeavored to woo Arab tourists to visit Egypt. Joined by Egyptian Consul General in Jeddah Aly Al-Asheri, the delegation met travel and tours agencies' representatives as well as media representatives, and discussed the positive steady developments in Egypt, along with the country's advantages that made it among top tourism destinations. The second stage of massive "Egypt where all it begins" tourism campaign was launched this month in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar. The delegation also disclosed that artistic and cultural festivals and concerts will be held in mid-June with many concerts starred by Arabs and Egyptian superstars in the central cities of Sharm Al Sheikh, Cairo, Alexandria, Marsa Alam and Porto Ghaleb. "The campaign is an expressed invitation to explore the true spirit of Egypt, represented in the strength that bonds Arab tourists' exercise of treasured experiences in Egypt and pushes them to come back again," the delegation said in a statement. A recent field study by Egyptian Tourist Authority showed that 90 percent of Arabs had at least a single visit to Egypt. Against this background, "the Egyptian Tourist Authority seeks to increase this rate boosted by Egypt's unique tourism potentials incomparable to any other state," it added. Moreover, the campaign aims to clear the unrealistic negative image projected by some foreign media over the security situation in Egypt. "It also invites everyone to come and review the secure, safe and stable status everywhere" … (and) "witness the return of warm Egyptian features, smile and spirit of fun." Samy Mahmoud, Egyptian Tourist Authority vice president, said "Egypt's tourism has gradually recovered following the Jan. 25 Revolution and the tourism index forecasts continual increase to reach the previous rates of 80 percent next October." Egypt enjoys several tourism hubs with Cairo, Alexandria and Sharm Al Sheikh topping the list for Arab tourists. Each is distinguished by its unique features, he added. Egyptian Consul General Aly Al-Asheri said "strong bond links Saudi and Egyptian people … and we, in the Consulate General in Jeddah, promise to provide all possible facilities to boost the Saudi tourism again to Egypt." Arab tourists represent 14 percent or 2.1 million of the total 14.7 million tourists who visited Egypt last year and recorded 19.7 percent increase in tourist nights.
