Cairo-Luxor cruises return

Nile cruises from the Egyptian capital Cairo to Luxor resumed over the weekend after being halted 18 years ago because of security concerns.

A ceremony marking the resumption of cruises from the capital was held in Luxor, the mecca of Egyptian tourism, after the arrival of a vessel from Cairo.

Tourism Minister Mohamed Hisham Abbas Zazou said that "the restoration of security is the key to the recovery of tourism in Egypt."

"Security on all cruises is being carried out in collaboration with the ministry of the interior," he said, adding that the ministry's goal was to match the 2010 season, when tourism generated $13-billion for the economy.

Islamist President Mohamed Morsi said on August 3 he was committed to ensuring the safety of tourists, whose numbers fell sharply after the 2011 uprising, delivering a severe blow to the economy.