Turmoil takes further toll on Egypt tourism

The number of tourists to Egypt slumped by almost 30 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year as political instability continued to keep holidaymakers away.

The number of visitors to Egypt between October and December fell to 2.9 million, compared to 4.2 million in the same period a year earlier, according to figures from the government's Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics, as reported by Zawya Dow Jones.

An important foreign exchange earner, Egypt's tourism industry in 2010 accounted for 11.3 per cent of its economy and 12.6 per cent of all jobs.

In Cairo, hotel occupancy levels fell to 36.4 per cent in January, down 42.4 per cent from the same month last year, while average daily rates declined 13 per cent to US$111.03 (Dh407.82), according to data from STR Global.

Egypt has launched a series of advertising campaigns globally in the hope of bringing visitors back to the country.

rbundhun@thenational.ae