Tourism in Egypt: reasons behind its deterioration Essay Example
Tourism in Egypt: reasons behind its deterioration Essay Example

Tourism in Egypt: reasons behind its deterioration Essay Example

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  • Pages: 10 (2523 words)
  • Published: November 30, 2017
  • Type: Case Study
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Tourism is essential for all countries as it serves as the primary source of foreign currency inflow. Some countries, such as Tunisia, are actively developing their limited tourist resources to attract global visitors. In contrast, countries like Egypt have abundant natural resources or a rich historical background contributing to their grandeur and aim to protect these assets for maximum benefit. The success of tourism depends on the tourists themselves. According to a paper published by the Egyptian Center for Economic Studies, tourists are individuals who spend at least one night in collective or private accommodations within the visited country while exploring its scenic attractions (qtd. in Tohamy and Swinscoe 8).

Many countries aim to boost their tourism industry as they believe it plays a vital role in their economy. Egypt stands out as an example, with its combination of natural beauty and rich history,

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making it a prominent destination on the global tourism map. Egypt offers stunning landscapes, picturesque beaches, museums, and ancient historical monuments such as the Pyramids - one of the world's seven wonders. Furthermore, Egypt benefits from favorable year-round weather conditions. However, the government falls short in putting forth maximum effort to attract more tourists and stimulate national tourism growth. The Egyptian government lacks effective strategies to safeguard and preserve its valuable assets while utilizing available resources. According to statistics presented by the Egyptian Center for Economic Studies, 5.7% of Egypt's total employment is in the tourism sector." (qtd.)

In Tohamy and Swinscoe 15), it was mentioned that a book published by Al-Magaalis Al-Qawmiyyah Al-Mutakhassissah (Professional National Councils in tourism) in 1980 predicted that the number of tourists in the year 2000 would reach

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20 million, with the potential revenue of approximately 439 million dollars, which is ten times higher than what was achieved in 1980. However, contrary to expectations, the revenue from tourism in Egypt experienced a decline from 478 million dollars in 1978 to 351 million dollars in 1982, as reported in the Middle East Economic Digest (Thurgood).

In 1982, the Minister of Tourism, Tawfik Abou Ismail, recognized tourism's importance as a primary source of foreign currency. He mentioned popular attractions like the Pyramids, Red Sea coral reefs for diving, and enjoying the Mediterranean sun. Dr. Mamdouh El Beltagie, the current Minister of Tourism, has also emphasized the economic benefits such as increased sales, job opportunities, and influx of foreign currency. Egypt offers a wide range of attractions that cater to tourists with different ages and cultural backgrounds. One example is Ras Mohamed in the Red Sea which boasts 1000 species of living organisms and 150 types of corals.

According to a reporter in the Geographic Magazine, their diving experience revealed an abundance of coral in every location. They described a plateau that spans 500 square kilometers, rising from the deep sea floor to just 200 meters below the surface. This plateau is dotted with unexplored coral reefs. These observations highlight the magnificence of Egypt, as this is only one touristic site. However, the Egyptian government lacks the ability to protect and preserve these valuable resources and maximize their potential. A disturbing incident occurred last summer at the Pyramids in Giza, where a group of boys used the massive granite stones as goalposts for their football game. Additionally, tourists were seen taking these granite stones with them.

Police officers were

present, but they did not intervene as the boys and tourists took these granite stones. The concerning issue is that officials witness the destruction and choose not to take action. In the previous year, I had the opportunity to work as an intern at the Fulbright Commission during the summer.

During a summer seminar workshop organized by Fulbright, I accompanied a group of Senior Professors. They had a busy schedule that included visits to various sites in Egypt. Among these was the Qayt A Bay Citadel, which we visited about a month after the incident of stolen golden coins occurred. It was apparent that the theft could have occurred easily, as the security system appeared to be weak.

Only one police guard is responsible for watching 25 television screens in a cramped room, which is unfair to both the location and the guard. The uncomfortable environment hinders the guard's ability to concentrate, making it impossible for him to effectively monitor all 25 screens simultaneously. While reading Al-Ahram, I came across a report about a valuable ancient granite painting that was stolen from a pharaonic tomb. Investigations revealed that the thieves spent a significant amount of time cutting and stealing the painting, which can be attributed to the lack of supervision. The painting is so precious that monument scientists are unable to determine its exact worth (Bakry). Unfortunately, incidents such as thefts of tombs, pharaonic monuments, and paintings from museums occur frequently in Egypt, and the government usually takes action only after such problems have already occurred. Additionally, it is important to note that tourism in Egypt encompasses more than just historical sites and ancient Egypt.

The government's neglect

has led to the destruction of the coral reefs in Egypt, which can be found on the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. A concerned Mexican tourist named Kaz Dziamka recently expressed his love for Egypt in a letter published by Al Ahram Weekly. He was saddened to witness the abuse of the reefs during his visit after 13 years, including a diving instructor standing on a reef for show. In a bizarre twist, Colby Donaldson, an actor on the reality TV show Survivor, gifted corals to his tribe members during the show.

When the Australian government saw the incident on television, they launched an investigation to determine if the man had taken corals from a protected reef, which is illegal. There is actually a case against him, and he may end up being fined $53,000 (Yu et al.). It is puzzling why the Egyptian government seems to neglect the protection of coral reefs, considering their significant importance. An article published in the UNESCO Courier reveals that corals serve as the primary source of protein. In fact, a healthy coral reef can produce over 15 tons of fish and seafood annually, supplying enough food for approximately 2,500 individuals.

In addition to being a source of food for 500 million individuals in Africa (Denecke), the coral reefs, which grow at a slow rate of 1.3 to 10.2 cm per year (Denecke), are also being destroyed.

Hence, caution must be exercised to avoid any errors that could lead to a hundred years of reef destruction. The Egyptian government ought to acknowledge the harmful impact of significant construction projects in the area, which are causing severe pollution to

the reefs. It is imperative for officials to make efforts towards conserving and safeguarding these valuable species, such as establishing protectorates, as they are integral to Egypt's tourism industry. Losing these assets would result in a loss of income from tourism. Additionally, Egypt possesses numerous untapped resources that are either ignored or underutilized.

According to an article in Al Aham Weekly, there are significant errors made in the tourist development process. The government fails to maintain the natural beauty and instead constructs new styles, as seen in new beach resorts, which do not prioritize environmental preservation and true principles of development (Salama). This issue is exemplified along the North Coast of Egypt, where a plethora of villas are built along the coastline. These villas are intended for individuals who only spend a maximum of one month per year using them. Instead, it would be more beneficial to invest in developing or constructing something that can be visited and enjoyed throughout the entire year. Additionally, the government does not adequately cater to the needs of tourists. As a result, there are numerous places that lack essential services such as transportation, telecommunication networks, emergency hospitals on highways, and internet services (Bakr).

According to Mohamed Lehita, the Head of the Egyptian Travel Agent Association (ETAA), there used to be 56 medical centers in Egypt catering to health tourists. However, due to urban expansion and pollution, many of these centers have closed down, leaving only 26 remaining (qtd. in Sami). General Mustafa Afifi, the Governor of South Sinai, also notes a significant decline in the number of tourist vessels, from 1200 to just 320 (qtd. in Bakr, "Saving... "). It is

unclear why these problems persist despite the availability of funds from UNESCO, the EU, and USAID. An individual may be hoarding the money in a bank account and living off the interest (qtd.).

The lack of effective advertising is one reason why Egypt fails to attract the number of tourists it should, despite having more tourist attractions than countries like Tunisia. However, Tunisia's tourism industry performs better due to several factors. One key factor is that they offer attractive packages at affordable prices and provide all necessary facilities to tourists. In an interview with Ms. Mona Mohie, a Sales Manager at American Express Travel Agent, she mentioned that their prices are not the best in the global market. Moreover, when tourism flourishes, they even increase their prices, resulting in a decline in tourism income.

Based on a survey conducted by Al-Siyaahah (31), over 140 European travel agents have observed a rise in prices for Egypt over the past two years. To revitalize the tourism industry, it is essential for the Egyptian government to focus on resolving these concerns. Despite attracting a significant number of tourists, Egypt has yet to reach its peak percentage. Various factors contribute to this situation, with terrorism being the most notable issue. In recent years, there have been numerous terrorist incidents specifically targeting tourists.

According to research, the Police department announced in 1993 that 3 tourists were killed in an attack at a Hotel in Cairo. In 1996, 29 Greek tourists were also killed near the Pyramids (qtd. in Meixler). These were just a few incidents among others, but there were two major attacks that significantly impacted Egypt's tourism. The first occurred in the

mid of March when a bomb exploded at the Egyptian museum located in the Capital Center. This museum houses the world's most extensive selection of pharaonic treasures (Gauch). As a result, 9 German tourists lost their lives. The second tragic incident took place in 1997.

CNN news reported that terrorists, disguised as police, conducted a continuous shooting attack on tourists at the Luxor Temple for nearly two hours. The horrifying incident resulted in the death of sixty individuals and left twenty-four seriously injured ("Attack on tourists... "). According to Galal Dwaidar, the Editor-in-Chief of Al-Akhbar newspaper, this tragic event significantly impacted the tourism industry and dealt a severe blow to the growing Egyptian economy (qtd. in Meixler). Insufficient security measures for tourists were identified as the root cause of this devastating event. Unfortunately, as is often the case, necessary actions were only taken after the problems had occurred, rendering them ineffective as tourists had already suffered.

Swiss travel agents have decided to evacuate all their customers from Egypt after the Luxor attack. This decision is expected to cause a significant decline in revenue for the tourism industry, possibly up to 70 per cent ("Attack on tourist.." ; Gauch). Dr. Ali El Din Hilal Dessouki, a Professor of Political Science at Cairo University, recognizes the influence of terrorism on tourism (qtd.).

Embassies have warned their citizens about traveling to the Middle East and advised them to exercise extreme caution if they choose to go. The strained Arab-Israeli relationship has also affected the number of Israeli tourists visiting the region. The Middle East Economist reported a 10% decrease in Israeli tourists visiting Red Sea beaches for activities like scuba

diving and snorkeling in 1982 after Israel withdrew from Sinai. Additionally, the decline in tourism can be attributed to issues within the police system and unethical conduct by police officers.

The government created tourism police in response to attack incidents without much consideration for officer professionalism. During my summer internship at Fulbright, I personally witnessed shocking behavior from the police. They would accompany bus trips but were disrespectful and inappropriate towards tourists, especially women. Initially, I thought it was an isolated incident, so Fulbright reported it to the Ministry of Tourism and Internal Affairs and requested personnel changes.

Unfortunately, the substitute for the Egyptian policeman accompanying the tourists was just as unsatisfactory. Additionally, they were troubled and irritated by a crowd of pedestrians and shopkeepers from the marketplace outside their hotel, further contributing to their negative perception. In an attempt to get assistance, they entered the hotel premises to seek help from the police security. Sadly, the officer's response inside the hotel failed to fulfill their expectations.

According to him, his responsibility is limited to the inside of the hotel and not the outside. There are internal issues that need resolution, which can ultimately affect tourism. It is important for the government to take strict measures to address these problems and prevent them from negatively impacting tourism. Domestic tourism relies on local citizens; for instance, personally I love visiting Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh because of their beautiful beaches. However, the prices charged by local hotels are extremely high and pose a major threat to national tourism.

Ironically, tourist groups from Europe who arrive on chartered flights are given lower prices than what Egyptians are offered. Additionally, a family of

four would spend almost LE 2000/- for a two-night stay. However, if they were to travel to Turkey or one of the Greek Islands for a whole week, they would pay LE 4000/- which includes air tickets and half-board accommodations. It's worth mentioning the added value of exploring a new country. I find this situation truly absurd. During my interview with Ms. Mona Mohie, I inquired about the high prices. She explained, "Hotels abroad offer better prices than local ones, and the opposite also occurs, where tourists coming from abroad can receive better deals for Hurghada than what is provided to Egyptians" (Mohie). Another factor impacting national tourism is the exchange rate of one Dollar to four Egyptian Pounds.

The value of diving courses in Sharm El-Sheikh is minimal for tourists but high for Egyptians. According to Mohamed Saleh, owner of a Diving Center, Egyptians are less likely to take the course due to its high cost of around US$ 300/-. While this may seem cheap for tourists, in local currency (LE 1000/-), it becomes quite expensive. Additionally, a research compared the national tourism in Egypt and the United States. It revealed that 19 million people visit Washington, DC from within the US, while only a few Egyptians travel within Cairo (Zohery). Both countries attract national tourists for the same reasons: sightseeing various sites, museums, historical monuments, and lovely beaches.

However, the issue in Egypt is that Egyptians are unable to afford the rates being offered, unlike Americans in the United States who find it affordable. The Egyptian government needs to enhance its domestic tourism and formulate a plan to attract its own citizens. With a large

population, Egypt can generate significant revenue through effective policies. To conclude, research and statistical data indicate that Egypt has the potential to become the leading tourism industry worldwide.

It possesses all the necessary ingredients for achieving success. It possesses God-given resources on the planet, but there exist issues that could be resolved if the government were to tackle them.

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