Foreign tourist turnout to archaeological areas and the provinces of Upper Egypt recorded a recent increase, with hotel occupancy rates reaching 25 percent in Luxor and 57 in Aswan, Al-Borsa news reported.
Alaa al-Shahat, Director of Giza Antiquities, said the turnout of tourists of various nationalities who visited archaeological areas, especially in Giza, has increased remarkably in recent weeks. The turnout rose by 50 percent in February 2017, compared to February 2016, he added.
The Giza Pyramids, Dahshur, Sakkara, and Meit Rahina archaeological areas witnessed the highest turnout of foreign visitors, according to Shahat.
He attributed the recovery of tourism rates to the stabilized security situation, as well as to the lifting of the travel ban and resuming flights to Egypt by some countries.
Shahat considered the visit of many international figures like Lionel Messi and Will Smith to Egypt a positive message that would contribute to promoting tourism.
The influx of Arab tourists to archaeological sites is currently weak, considering that the current period coincides with the academic semester in Arab countries, said Shahat.
He pointed out that the majority of Arab tourists are attracted to the practice of recreational activities at archaeological sites, such as the pyramids area, famous for horseback riding.
Eshak Samir, secretary of the Chamber of Upper Egypt Hotel Facilities, said that Arab tourists prefer the leisure travel pattern to cultural tourism.
Arab tourists rarely visit the governorates of Luxor and Aswan as they prefer coastal areas and Cairo governorate, where they can enjoy many recreational places, Samir added.
According to Samir, Aswan accommodation occupancy rates recorded 57 percent in February, up 30 percent from January occupancy rate, due to the large number of conferences held in the city.
In Luxor, hotel occupancy rates reached 25 percent in February, he said.
