Tourism Ministry statistics issued on Wednesday showed that incoming tourists in 2013 declined by 17.4 percent compared to 2012.
Egypt received around 9.5 million tourists, compared to 11.5 million in 2012 and 9.8 million in 2011, Tourism Minister Hesham Zaazou said.
"The South Sinai and Red Sea governorates received around 71 percent of inbound tourism," he added. "The number of tourists at the two destinations in 2013 was more than 6.9 million tourists."
The two destinations, where the cities of Hurghada and Sharm al-Sheikh are located, suffered fewer effects from declining tourism than other Egyptian destinations as a result of confidence from tourists. They have enjoyed a high level of safety despite the ongoing situation in Egypt since the 2011 revolution.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
