Egypt's tourism faces challenges but opportunities prevail, EJB

The tourism sector is one of the Egyptian economy’s main pillars. It made revenues of $4 billion in 2020, compared to $13.03 billion in 2019. The country received about 3.5 million tourists last year, compared to 13 million in 2019.

According to Mohamed Kaoud, President of the Tourism and Aviation Committee at the Egyptian Junior Business Association (EJB)., challenges remain on both short-term and medium-term to recover to the pre-pandemic growth levels, especially with the delay in deploying vaccination programs both on the local level and internationally which will affect the investment and tourism inflows to the country as well as negatively affecting local economic activities. FDI net inflows in FY19/20 amounted to USD 7.5 billion maintaining Egypt’s ranking as the largest FDI recipient in Africa over the last 3 years.

"There are three scenarios by the world tourism organization expecting the travel and tourism bounce back; mid 2023, end 2023 and/or end 2024. Hence, counties started adopting strategies that meet challenges to overcome those difficult time."

Koaud noted that " Egypt’s Tourism Minister expects pre pandemic levels by Autumn 2022 which is close to the WTO first scenario. However, that would be very challenging as we are yet behind other counties in the region and globally that acted faster and more efficiently than Egypt. There were very few counties that actually managed to handle the situation and drive business to their countries; UAE, Tanzania and Maldives that marked as one of the most successful tourism stories amid the pandemic. It is not impossible but we need to act fast and cope with other countries.

" Besides, the archaeological sites development and Grand Egyptian Museum Grand opening, Egypt shall be starting the vaccination program soon and I would heavily recommend that the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism joint venture on a vaccination program for the one Million more or less employees in tourism and hospitality at a charge to ease the burden from the government. The nation is supposed to receive 40 million doses of the vaccination medication that will cover 20 percent of the country's population."

Committee of the Egyptian Junior Business Association and CEO of Egyliere Travel said, "Egypt in joint venture with UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organisation and EBRD the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development created incentive programmes that include safety, hygiene protocols and tailor-made training plans to the hospitality sector. Those programs must be implemented fast and in an organized manner.

EU to propose a ‘digital pass’ for COVID-19 vaccination/test status to help safer travel

The European Commission will present a legislative plan for what it’s calling a “digital green pass” to facilitate cross-border travel in the age of coronavirus. The aim is to provide proof that a person has been vaccinated and the results of tests for those who couldn’t get a vaccine yet to gradually enable them to move safely in the European Union or abroad for work or tourism.

Spain supports the vaccination certificate and the introduction of vaccination passports combined with other measures including social distancing, pre-travel tests, and mask-wearing. In addition, Spain is currently working on an agreement with UK and Europe to remove restrictions on non-essential travel.

Cyprus will open its borders to holidaymakers who have been fully vaccinated from May 1st without needing to have a negative Covid test or quarantine. Besides, Israel and Cyprus have agreed in principle a deal allowing coronavirus-vaccinated citizens of the two countries to travel between them without limitations, once flights resume, he explained.

Greece pushed the idea of using standardized certificates showing travellers have received an inoculation as a means of opening up international travel for the vital summer season. Greece and the UK are planning to ease travel this summer based on the vaccine passport. Besides, Greece and Israel signed an accord to ease travel restrictions to Greece for Israelis with proof of COVID-19 vaccination, a move Athens hopes will support its bid to use vaccination certificates to save its battered tourism sector.

Emirates and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aims to position Dubai as one of the first cities in the world to implement digital verification of traveller medical records related to COVID-19 testing and vaccination. Dubai has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of holidaymakers, while preparing to ring in 2021 in style. The destination continues to take effective steps to build on the strategic initiative to reopen the city to tourists and facilitate travel while maintaining stringent health and safety protocols. 2021 will be the year of virtual working and Dubai have announced the new virtual working programme. Entrepreneurs and flexible workers can extend their holiday and experience great quality of life and have access to convenient facilities and resources to help them further their career or grow their business. In addition, Dubai will see the return of world-class events and festivals including Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Food Festival, and in October, Dubai will play host to the first ever World Expo to be held in this region. Dubai is considered the World’s Leading Business Travel Destination by voters at the World Travel Awards, while Emirates was honoured with the title of World’s Leading Airline – Business Class.

“Egypt has a great opportunity as countries around the world have been more cautious about reopening meaning that tourists had few options for places to go. Maldives took advantage of the fact that they were in relatively good shape with the virus. The Maldives' heavy reliance on ultra-luxury resorts also worked in its favor and the country surpassed their arrival forecast. They promoted the destination as a safe haven to the tourists.”

The tourists are traveling less frequently, but for longer and with more purpose. The fact that most people were going digital-only for work and school, the resorts devised a special package for guests staying a full month offering meals, high-speed internet, wellness activities and use of a kids' club and is priced from $42,600 for a family of four. Others, selling "all you can stay" packages for unlimited bookings for up to a year at a cost of $30,000. Another luxurious property, promoted a "workation" package priced from $23,250 for seven days, he elaborated.