Tourism Minister Deputy Osama al-Ashry, who supervises tourist resorts and hotels sector, said on Tuesday that hotel occupancy at Egyptian tourist destinations ranges between 46 and 52 percent.
Ashry mentioned a relative improvement in occupancy of hotels at coastal areas, compared to the period that followed the travel ban to Sharm al-Sheikh in the wake of Taba tourist bus blast, when 15 European markets banned travel to Sinai Peninsula.
Statistics, according to Ashry, indicated that occupancy reached 48 percent at Sharm al-Sheikh, 46 percent at Marsa Alam and 52 percent at Hurghada. The three places are main destinations for inbound European tourists.
Reservations during the Easter holidays are expected to be 100 percent as Egyptians prefer to spend the holidays between 18 and 20 April, which will support tourism income, Ashry added.
Tourism Minister Hesham Zaazou, according to Ashry, is taking measures to easen or cancel the travel bans like following on security measures at tourist resorts.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
