Russian tourism to Red Sea resorts has dropped by 50 percent over the past few weeks following a decline in the Russian ruble to the US dollar.
The head of the Chamber of Tourism in the Red Sea Magdy Saleh has indicated a a decline in hotel occupancy rates and a 30-40 percent loss of tourist income in hotels and tourist resorts — the most most significant drop in Red Sea tourism since Russian liften it ban on travel to Egypt.
Saleh called for swift intervention by the tourism and civil aviation ministries to boost charter flights from Russia to Hurghada and Marsa Alam and prevent canceling flights with low reservations.
Tourism expert Abdel Nabi Abul Hassan warned against declining Russian tourism rates. He estimated the financial losses of tourism in the Red Sea at around US$0.5 monthly.
Mahmoud Saber, a member of Tour Guides Syndicate board in Hurghada, indicated a sharp decline in the number of Russian tourists despite a decline in flight prices.
Major General Ali Reda, head of the Tourist Investment Association, said the Tourism Ministry should handle the ruble crisis with the help of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to restore the flow of Russian tourism.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
