Egypt

Number of Chinese tourists visiting Hurghada declines

Tourism rates of Chinese travelers in Hurghada witnessed a sharp decline during July and August. Chinese tourism was supposed to be the alternative to Russian tourism, that was halted in 2015.

According to statistics by the Egyptian Tourism Authority, the Chinese tourism industry has almost stood still completely in Hurghada. The reports of different nationalities visiting Hurghada show that ten Chinese tourists visited Hurghada in July and 128 in August.

A source at Hurghada International Airport said that direct flights from the Chinese provinces stopped. He said that the airport used to receive flights through three direct airlines per week, with ten flights per week.

Tourist statistics indicate that about 1.15 million tourist nights were spent by Chinese tourists in Egypt between January to the end of June this year, a 110 percent increase compared to the same period last year. China ranked fifth among the top ten export markets for tourism to Egypt.

Mohamed Swailam, marketing director at one of Hurghada’s tourism companies, said that there are great efforts being made by tourism companies and private airlines to attract more Chinese tourists to visit Hurghada and resume the flights of the suspended airlines.

Mahmoud Saber, member of the Tourist Guides Association’s Council, said that tourism companies in Egypt have had good experiences when it came to meeting the needs of Chinese tourist in hotels and tourist villages, especially in Hurghada. He pointed out that in the coming period, the number of restaurants offering Chinese meals in Hurghada would increase.

Edited Translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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