12,000 tourists arrive in Hurghada on Saturday

12,000 tourists arrive in Hurghada on Saturday

Airplane passenger numbers at Hurghada International Airport on Saturday are highest since the start of the 25 January revolution in 2011, said Sami Abdel Moneim, the airport's head.

Seventy-five airplanes have landed at the airport so far today, carrying 12,000 tourists.

He said that Egypt’s rating at the Berlin Stock Exchange for Tourism reflects the higher number of tourist arrivals.

Forty percent of the arrivals were Russian, 25 percent were from Germany and 10 percent were from the Netherlands.

Numerous buses were awaiting the tourists to take them to resorts in Hurghada and Safaga, he added.

He said that these numbers promise to double hotel occupancy rates, revitalize shopping at tourist bazaars and create job opportunities.

Maged al-Qady, secretary general of the Tourist Resorts Chamber in Hurghada, said the increase in airport activity highlights the success of publicity at the Berlin Stock Exchange for Tourism and the efforts of Egyptian tourist authorities.

Tourism rates dropped during the last quarter of 2011 by 29.2 percent, to 2.9 million compared to 4.2 million at the same time in 2010, according to official figures. 

The government has said that the state of uncertainty that has prevailed since the outbreak of the 25 January revolution, as well as periodic outbreaks of violence in 2011 and into 2012, have discouraged tourists from visiting the country.

Source: egyptindependent.com