Sources at the Federation of Tourism Chambers have said that the attack on hotels in downtown Cairo, mostly notably the Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel near Tahrir Square, had caused a drop in occupancy in neighboring hotels from 80 percent to 14 percent.
The sources added that travel agencies are now advertising a package that takes in Taba, Luxor and Aswan but skips Cairo at the Berlin Tourism Bourse that began Wednesday.
"German tourists now come to Hurghada," said federation president Elhamy al-Zayat.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Ministry is activating the so-called Center for Tracking Movement of Tourist Buses, which the minister says aims to provide maximum safety for tourists on roads.
Clashes are ongoing around the Qasr al-Nil Bridge and on the Corniche for the third day, in an area where there are at least three hotels. Protesters damaged the exterior of the Semiramis during clashes with the police Tuesday.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
