Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa announced that the first quarter of 2024 witnessed a positive growth in incoming tourist traffic to Egypt by three-to-four percent compared to the first quarter of 2023 – which was already a record year for tourism in Egypt.
Issa expressed optimism that there will further growth in the near future, during a meeting with the Board of Directors of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion on Wednesday.
The Supreme Council of Antiquities is currently witnessing financial reforms, the minister explained in order to increase the volume of the Council’s revenues, increasing its ability to carry out its role as a scientific institution and owner and operator of antiquities.
This will also aid in financing development and restoration projects providing the expenditure that archaeological sites and museums deserve, he added.
Issa said that there will be further developments in the near future regarding the tourism experience in some archaeological sites and museums, including Giza Pyramids area, Saqqara archaeological area, the Citadel of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, as part of the Cairo City Break initiative.
The meeting also discussed policies to stimulate aviation in light of the implementation of the National Tourism Strategy in Egypt, which will aid in increasing airline seats coming to Egypt to accommodate the targeted tourist numbers.
The meeting also reviewed the results of the additional stimulus package (The Booster Campaign) which the ministry announced for airline companies as part of the current aviation stimulus program due to the increased risks flights to Egypt face as a result of geopolitical events in the region.
And a proposal submitted to extend the aviation incentive program scheduled to end this April was discussed, with some amendments being made to it.
This proposal was approved and will be presented to the Board of Directors of the Tourism and Antiquities Support Fund.
