Al-Ahram Weekly | Travel

		20 - 26 June 2002 Issue No. 591 Travel	Current issue Previous issue Site map
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875		Recommend this page

Reserved oases
STUDIES drawn up by the Ministry of the Environment on creating new nature reserves in Siwa and the New Valley have been reviewed at a ministerial meeting chaired by Prime Minister Atef Ebeid. Both areas are becoming increasingly popular as tourist destinations.
Under discussion was a proposal to protect the White Desert area north west of Farafra Oasis in the New Valley, which provides a habitat for a number of rare animal and plant species.
Siwa Oasis in the Mersa Matrouh governorate could also become a reserve. The oasis contains a number of natural water springs used for medical treatment, and is also home for a rich variety of plants and animals.
On the rebound
PEOPLE banking on empty hotel rooms in Egypt had better start booking. Reports from overseas travel offices suggest the high profile campaign to promote Egypt's tourist spots is making an impact.
The reports from Europe and Canada point to a growing interest in travel to Egypt. A London report referred to the wider attention given to Egypt's tourist attractions in the British press.
A report from Madrid said it expected tourist traffic to Egypt from Spain and Portugal to return to normal in the summer and autumn of this year. It also mentioned the revival of charter flights to Luxor and Aswan. Another report quoted Swiss tour operators as citing normal reservations for Egypt.
The British Travel Agency Federation's annual convention will open at the Cairo International Conference Centre on 1 October 2002.
France fourth
FRANCE ranks fourth in exporting tourists to Egypt, according to Minister of Tourism Mamdouh El- Beltagui. Speaking during a meeting with a French delegation of journalists and travel representatives, El-Beltagui said the increase in numbers of French tourists was a reflection of the deep historical ties between Egypt and France and the long interest on the part of the French in the ancient Egyptian civilisation.
El-Beltagui added that the Ministry of Tourism was keen on attracting all categories of French tourists and meeting their requirements. He said the decision to allow French and other European Union tourists to enter Egypt using identity cards had contributed to the increasing number of tourists visiting Egypt.
The French travel agents noted the increasing demand for beach holidays in the Red Sea and Sinai and expressed interest in the development projects in Alexandria, especially the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Compiled by Jenny Jobbins

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