Still in turmoil, Egypt loses billions in tourism dollars

Egyptian tourism officials say the country had lost more than $2.6 billion by the end of June because of the upheaval surrounding former President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation and ongoing protests against the interim military government.

The Tourism Ministry says a lack of security and reports of violence topped the reasons that tourists canceled trips to Egypt this year or chose other countries in which to spend their holidays.

Arabs among those staying away


Hotel and tour operators say it isn’t just Americans and Europeans who are forgoing trips to Egypt.

The capital, Cairo, known as “sin city” to Persian Gulf Arabs, isn’t swarming with oil-rich visitors for the first time since 1997, when an attack by Islamist militants on a busload of tourists who were visiting the ancient southern city of Luxor left 58 foreigners dead and caused a sharp decline in tourism.

“This summer season, which is considered a high season for Arab tourism, is totally destroyed,” said Ghada Abdel Khalek, the marketing director at the Marriott Cairo Hotel, a favorite among well-heeled tourists.