Tourism in Egypt and its Impacts on the National Economy
by Ali Zohery
| 1- | Introduction |
| 2- | Different types of tourism in Egypt |
| 3- | Tourist development plans in Egypt |
| 4- | The impacts of tourism in Egypt on the national economy |
| 5- | Conclusion |
| 6- | Bibliography |
Egypt enjoys a unique geographical location. Many people from around the world favor its climates. It has a unique culture heritage. In Egypt there are monuments go back to the pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic periods. Egypt is the one of the most wanted places to be visited. travelers from around the world dream about seeing one of the famous seven wanders of the world: the great pyramid of Egypt. Egypt is the dawn and cradle of civilization, land of the pharaohs, gift of the Nile. All these and many more were named after Egypt. A heritage of 5000 rich and mysterious years that continue to attract millions of travelers to this land over the years. Egypt has so much to offer people from around the would with their different interest will find Egypt fascinating in historic tourism, Therapeutic tourism, cultural tourism; sports tourism, safari tourism and conference and Exhibition tourism.
From Microeconomics perspective the tourism creates direct or indirect millions of jobs for the Egyptians. Jobs in tourism are very profitable comparing to the other fields in Egypt.
From Macroeconomics perspective the tourism has great impacts on the national economy in Egypt. Egypt has the potential to earn large sums from tourism. The Egyptian government is working on many tourist projects. The World Bank and other foreign investors contribute funds to accomplish these projects.
Different types of tourism in Egypt
People visit Egypt for various tourism reasons. The following are just brief description of each.
1- Cultural Tourism
From the four corners of world travelers,
Archaeologists, writers and scholars go to Egypt and wonder around its splendors and learn
first hand about Ancient Egypt, its monument and its various museums.
2- Therapeutic/ Medical Tourism
Egypt possesses one of the richest source of
therapeutic environment that attract people from around the world to enjoy its natural
mineral water and sulphuric springs that cure numerous bone, kidney skin and stomach
diseases.
3- Sports tourism
There are various sporting clubs in Egypt such as golf,
equestrian, diving, marina, fishing and rowing. In the beautiful Gezira (small island
between the two branches of the river Nile) there are equestrian club, the golf club and
the shooting club. Also, around the red sea coast Hurghada, Ras Mohammed and Naweiba.
There
are famous diving activities attracts people who are interested in such sports.
4- Safari Tourism
In the beautiful area of St. Catherine, Mont. Moses in
Sinai, Al Dakhlah and AI kharga oases where tourists watch the different animals and
migrating birds. Safari trips to Sharm El Sheikh are organized by tour agents who provide
tents and other equipment necessary for a simple life in the desert.
5- Recreational and Beach Tourism
Egypt has a unique location. It is surrounded by the red
sea from the East and the Mediterranean sea from the North. the famous river Nile runs
from its south borders all the way to the north. The red sea coast is a splendid gift from
god. Its clear waters, rare fish and mountain chain that runs along the coast and is
separated from the sea by a plain that is most suitable for camping sites. Gulf of Aqaba
coast has many facilities for water sports such as diving.
Along the north coast of the Mediterranean sea Egypt has a moderate climate white sand
beaches. There are places of interests such as Al Alamain that was a theater of military
operations during world war II and has famous cemetery of victims of the war. Also, there
are tourist villages along the coast such as Maregeya, Marina Al ahlam, Marbella and
Sondos.
Alexandria the mermaid of the Mediterranean is characterized by natural bay with golden
sand beaches clear waters and skies. Among its famous beaches are Al montaza, Al
Ma’amourah, Abo Qir, and Al Agamy and Sidi kreeer in the west
6- Conference and Exhibition Tourism
Egypt is unique among Middle East countries with this
type of tourism. Conferences have become an important source of revenue. A visiting
business man spends averge of $240 per day. A Cairo international conferees center (CICC)
was established equipped with most up to date Audi-visual and simultaneous interpretation
equipment the last famous international conference was the international conference of
peace makers
7- Religious Tourism
followers of Judaism Christianity an Islam have famous
places to visit such as Temples, Churches and mosques in Egypt.
8- Modern Tourism
There are modern landmarks in Egypt each of them has a
function and contributes to the Egyptian economy, more than being a modern memorial to be
visited such as:
The high dam in Aswan, Cairo tower, the sound and light shows at the pyramids and sphinx and in luxor, the opera house in Cairo, the under ground metro linking down town Cairo to its suburbs and the pharaonic village which is a model of all aspects and activities of the ancient Egyptian life.
9- Historical Tourism
Egypt is an open museum. The pharaohs left abundance of
memorials and monuments in that museum. Also, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Turks, Arabs,
French and British they have passed through this land. They left Egypt with a unique
combination that no other country can match.There are hundreds of sites in Egypt to be
visited the followings are famous and just examples:
The Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, the step Pyramid of Saqqara, the temple of Karnak,Valley of Kings, Valley of Queens, Alexandria and its monuments such as Al Sawari column, Qaitbay Citadel, Al Azhar mosque in Cairo, Egyptian museum, Coptic museum, Islamic museum.
Tourist Development Plans
in Egypt
Egypt has a ministry specifically for the tourism. It
concentrates on promoting Egypt in the international tourism markets through holding
conferences and concluding agreements with countries that export tourist groups and
organization exhibitions abroad to promote the various kinds of tourist groups.
Maintenance and face lifting of pharaoinc and Islamic monuments with some financial help from international bodies such as UNESCO. Intensifying domestic tourism and promoting the awareness of the importance of tourism as an export industry. Preparing tourist guide books and underlining the element of safety and security preparing an agenda of tourist events to attract festivals such as:
·The fishing tournament in Hurghada,
· The Arab horses festival in Sharqiah governorate
· Pharaonic rally
· The collective wedding
· Festive to commemorate the Nile thanks giving.
· The Alexandrias of the world festival
· The song festival
· The international rowing competition in Cairo and Luxor
· The squash championship
The Egyptian government encouraged and facilitated tourism projects such as:
Incentives offered to investors including the sale of land at $1 per square meter in designated tourism zones. This has resulted in a major expansion of tourism facilities. Red sea “Riviera” idea was one of fruits of the progress in the Middle East peace process. Egypt, Jordan and Israel are seriously discussing the creation of red sea “Middle East Riviera” including the Egyptian resort of Taba, the Israel resort of Eilat and the Jordanian port of Aqaba.
The Impacts of Tourism in
Egypt on the National Economy
Tourism in Egypt is one of the major sources of hard
currency, and an effective factor in economic and social development. The third five-year
plan (92/93-96/97) is improving the environment and expanding the tourist's attraction
sites. The government spending in this five year's plan means creating new job
opportunities for many Egyptians. Also, this will increase the number of the tourists to
4.3 million. These tourists will spend $2.6 billion (about l.E. 8.8 billion Egyptian
bounds).
The total investment in 1995/96 amounts to lE 1489 million.
The total revenues from that tourist sector in 1995/96 have reached LE 11 billion and 200
million than an increase of L.E. 2417 million than in 1994/95 at a growth rate of 26.91%
Tourism in Egypt overtook oil as the country’s main source of foreign exchange in
1988 and has remained a top money earner directly or indirectly providing one job in ten.
The growth percentage of tourism expenditure in Egypt from 1985 to 1992 reached 766%, on
the other hand the growth percentage of tourism receipts from 1985 to 1992 reached 203.
Conclusion
During and right after the gulf war 1991, the tourism
reached its lowest level and about ten million Egyptians directly or indirectly were
affected. People who were working at lodging, tourist food services and tour operations
lost their jobs. It was impossible for them to get new jobs while the unemployment rate
was 20%. These people started to use their savings if they had any, and when they run out
they sold their furniture to get their necessities of life. It was an economic hardship
for all these people. What happened to the tourism in Egypt because of the Gulf war shows
how important the tourism to the Egyptian economy.
In a country like Egypt, there are magnificent tourism
sources to attract all kinds of tourists from around the world. Egypt’s history and
civilization are marketing tools to draw more tourists to the country. The Egyptian
Government is making a great effort to ensure the visitors to fulfill their expectation of
life time trip to the land of the pharaohs, the cradle of civilization, but Egypt is not
getting enough of the market share in the international tourism. The services for the
tourists need to be on equal footing with international tourist markets.
1. The reseacher studied Egyptology for six years, four years undergraduate and two years in the graduate level. He contributed to this research with his knowledge, information and interest in the tourism of his native country, Egypt. Also, part of his work in tourism is to arrange tours to Egypt.
2. Tens of brochures and travel materials about tourism in Egypt.
3.Information from the internet about the tourism in Egypt.
4. International Marketing Data and Statistics, 1995, 19th edition, Euromonitor, pages 565-568.
5. The countries of the world, the economist intelligence unit limited 1996, pages 40-42.
6. Egypt Year Book. state information services, 1996, pages 131-141.
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