Tourism Minister Hesham Zaazou said hotel occupancy rates are expected to improve in February. The projection is based on a recent incline in the occupancy rate deficit, which has gone from 95 percent in September to 55 percent in October.
In remarks to the Egyptian-Gulf Investment Forum, Zaazou emphasized the optimistic situation in Luxor, where occupancy rates have recently gone from a flat zero percent to 15 percent.
He noted that while Egyptian tourism may suffer, it never dies. Rather, it faces lulls based on seasonal considerations. Competition amongst tourist destinations is fierce throughout the summer months, for example, since options like Lebanon and Turkey are present. But winter sees a strong recovery in tourist influx as the only real competition during this period is the Canary Islands.
The minister said a protocol will be signed on 14 December for establishing the world’s first green tourist city on the Red Sea.
Edited translation from MENA
