Egypt's tourism industry gaining back confidence

RIYADH - The Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) has officially released the country's tourism figures for 2013, reporting an impressive 9.5 million tourists visited Egypt throughout last year. Attracting 6.9 million tourists - 71 percent of the total number of tourists visiting Egypt in 2013 - were the Governorates of South Sinai and the Red Sea.

The numbers also showed that 21 thousand Emirati tourists visited in 2013, compared to 27 thousand in 2012; while 208 thousand Saudi tourists visited in 2013, compared to 242 thousand in 2012; and 83 thousand Kuwaiti tourists visited in 2013, compared to 96 thousand in 2012.

Hisham Zaazou, Egyptian Minister of Tourism, said: "Over the past three years, and since the 25th of January Revolution, Egypt attracted more than 30 million tourists - with over 20 percent visiting from the Arab world - further reinforcing Egypt's position as a prime tourist destination in the Arab world and globally. Despite the decrease in the number of tourists in 2013, which amounted to a fall of just under 18 percent when compared with 2012, we continue to maintain Egypt's position as a safe tourist destination. Regardless of the current challenges that Egypt faces, it is still considered the destination of choice for many Arab and foreign tourists."