Tourism officials are expecting a rise in tourist numbers in Sharm el-Sheikh following the departure of former President Hosni Mubarak from the seaside resort. Mubarak was transferred to Cairo on Wednesday, where he is standing trial on various charges of murder and corruption.
“Now that Mubarak has left Sharm el-Sheikh, we expect tourism to boom again in the resort,” said Sami Mahmoud of the Tourism Promotion Authority.
He also said that Mubarak’s trial proves that Egypt is seeking to restore stability, a fact that should reassure tourists planning to visit Egypt.
Mahmoud explained that tourism dropped by 85 percent immediately after the revolution. “Now the reduction stands at 28 percent,” he said. “We expect more bookings this winter season.”
Translated from the Arabic Edition
