Egypt to Stop Issuing Tourist Visas

AFP: Egypt is to stop issuing visas to tourists on arrival, a government official said on Friday, although allowances will be made for those travelling in groups.

The new regulations have not yet come into effect, and the cabinet is still fine-tuning them, spokesman Mahmud Higazi told AFP.

Tourists "will have to apply at embassies and consulates for visas," he said.

Tourists from many states, especially Western countries whose nationals contribute the bulk of Egypt's vital tourism revenues, are still allowed to obtain visas on arrival until the new regulations are in place.

"We want to regulate entry," said Higazi, adding that he could not say when the new instructions will be passed on to airport officials.

"We are asked for visas everywhere and it is our right to ask for visas. No airport in the world would give me a visa on arrival," he said.

Higazi said that tourists travelling in groups will be exempt from the new regulations.

Tourism to Egypt's beach resorts and ancient sites is a key money earner and source of foreign currency, but it declined after a January and February revolt that overthrew president Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt Tourism Remains in Disarray

Sunset on the Nile

Reuters: Hotel worker Meena George rejoiced when a popular revolt ousted Egypt's autocratic president, but since the tourists have stopped coming, his joy has given way to fear and desperation.

George was made redundant by his employers at the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, and has resorted to borrowing more and more money from his friends to survive. "The revolution is good, but painful," said George, 33. "Many of my friends have fallen on hard times as we get laid off, because business is slow."

From the Pyramids of Giza to the Red Sea resorts, tourist numbers have plummeted to just a trickle, dealing a devastating blow to the millions of Egyptians whose livelihoods depend on the 14 million or so visitors who once thronged to the country.

At the height of the 18-day uprising that ousted president Hosni Mubarak, embassies issued travel warnings and many tour groups canceled their trips, throwing an industry that is a major source of foreign currency into crisis. Two months later, the chaos has largely subsided, the police who deserted their posts during protests are mostly back on the job and the travel warnings have been eased. But the tourists have yet to return, and Egypt's tourism minister has forecast the industry's 2011 revenue will be 25 percent lower than the previous year.

At the Giza Pyramids, the country's most popular attraction and a must-see destination for visitors to Cairo, not one Western tourist could be seen as the sun set on a weekday in April, one of the prime months of the year for holidaymakers.

With fewer potential customers, the street vendors and rogue guides that typically hover near Egypt's famous landmarks seem to be preying more aggressively on tourist wallets. A party of German and French tourists visiting the Pyramids recently said tourist police looked on as a gaggle of touts followed them around the site competing for their attention. "One thrust an opened can of drink into my hand and demanded I pay for it," said German tourist Alex.

Despite an increasingly grim picture, Hala el-Khatib, secretary general of the Egyptian Hotels Association, said nationwide, hotel occupancy was only down by 15 percent in April compared to the same month a year ago. She said hotel occupancy in Sharm had recovered to 32 percent by mid-April from an abysmal 11 percent after the protests erupted on January 25. But it was still a far cry from the 75 percent rate hotels in the resort are accustomed to at this time of year.

Still, Khatib remains optimistic, and says landmarks of the revolution such as Cairo's Tahrir Square, which became internationally renowned as the gathering place of the protests, are featuring on some tourist itineraries. "Security is getting better day by day. People have a different view of Egypt, they have a more positive view. They want to include Tahrir in their program," she said.

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Egypt’s Sites Have Reopened, Tourism Struggling

Reuters: According to USA Today, the estimated total monetary loss during the political unrest in Egypt: 10 billion Egyptian pounds, or $1.7 billion USD. And more than half of that loss is linked to tourism.

But things are starting to look up. After shutting down during the worst of the unrest for fear of damage and looting, museums across Egypt have opened again. The Egyptian Museum on the edge of Tahrir Square in Cairo — victim of looters who were able to steal some small objects — was one of the first to welcome back visitors. The pyramids were also reopened, much to the delight of the few tourists who braved it and ignored their governments’ warnings of travel to Egypt.

Briton and geography teacher, Paul Davis — who had his trip planned since early November — said: "I wanted to see this world wonder. I thought ‘Why not? Let’s just go through with it.’ I think it was worth taking the risk."

Heavy discounts for Egyptian tours are also flooding the market, and those looking for cheap getaways are taking advantage. A German couple booked a week-long trip including flights and room and board for just 500 euros ($685).