HOW THE EGYPTIANS SAVED THEIR INDUSTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC AND FURTHER PLANS TO DEVELOP COOPERATION WITH UKRAINE WERE DISCUSSED BY AHMED YOUSSEF, CHAIRMAN OF THE EGYPTIAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT BOARD (ETPB) AT THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND ANTIQUITIES.
MR. YOUSSEF, THE REALITIES OF OUR TIME ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO COVID-19. TELL US WHAT HAPPENED IN THE EGYPTIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC.
Both the state and private business used that difficult time to preserve what they had achieved. And even make a powerful upgrade of the Egyptian tourism industry. A campaign was also launched to convince Egyptians themselves to travel around their country. In this way, we tried to compensate for the losses from the decline in international tourism through domestic tourism.
WHAT EXACTLY HAS BEEN DONE TO PRESERVE THE TOURISM INDUSTRY?
The country did not close its borders to tourists because of the pandemic. In addition, we all had to work hard. Rapid and mass vaccination played an important role. And this is in a country of 110 million people! But we have a large pharmaceutical industry, where the production of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine began immediately. We are currently negotiating the production of Western vaccines in Egypt.
In the tourism industry, vaccination was one hundred percent. This primarily concerns the resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. The government has taken unprecedented incentive measures to support the private sector. Monetary support in the form of loans on favorable terms allowed to retain qualified personnel at the most critical time. Entrepreneurs were able to defer payments for utilities, electricity, gas, etc.
For tourist facilities, real estate taxes were postponed for three months and VAT was reduced by 10%.
HOW HAVE YOU MAINTAINED THE FLOW OF FOREIGN TOURISTS TO THE COUNTRY?
Effective steps have been taken to make traveling to Egypt easier and more financially attractive. In particular, the government has reduced airport and fuel taxes. The so-called flight incentive program was proposed, which helped foreign air carriers keep ticket prices down. Visa fees were canceled. Finally, Egypt recognized all vaccines registered in the world and the vaccination documents of many countries.
I would like to note that the Egyptian healthcare system has performed very well in a critical situation. The state has provided insurance against Covid. It means that in case of illness, the insured tourist will stay in a hotel in a separate room and receive free treatment.
In situations where hospitalization is required, the patient will be taken to a public hospital and receive the necessary treatment at the expense of the state.
INDEED, THE APPROACH IS IMPRESSIVE. WERE THE EFFORTS WORTHWHILE?
No doubt about it. The tourism industry has been saved, and the tourist flow is growing. According to forecasts, about 8 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Egypt in 2021. For comparison, in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, there were 13.6 million of them, and in 2020 - only 3.6 million.
By the way, at last year's low, tourists from Ukraine came out on top, with more than 700,000 of your fellow citizens visiting us.
TELL US ABOUT THE STRUCTURE OF INBOUND TOURISM. WHERE DO PEOPLE GO TO EGYPT FROM? WHAT IS THE PLACE IN UKRAINE?
Citizens of Ukraine remain the most numerous. Guests from the Middle East and the Persian Gulf countries are in second place. Next are Germans, Americans, and the former Soviet Union. Since the Ukrainian market is extremely important to us, I have already visited Ukraine twice this year. My colleagues from the private sector are also in constant contact with you. In April, we held a very successful press tour. In the near future, we are planning another big family trip for media representatives. Its date and program will be announced in November. We will be holding a series of workshops for our Ukrainian partners.
WHAT ARE THE ETPB'S PLANS FOR UKRAINE?
My personal intention is to open up a different, unfamiliar Egypt for Ukrainians. For most Ukrainians, Egypt is primarily a seaside resort on the Red Sea. But our country is ready to offer many other attractions. Even in beach resorts. How many people have heard of museums in Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada? But they have been created and are working successfully. I advise everyone to visit them.
I would like to take this opportunity to invite Ukrainians to Cairo. In the spring, the new Museum of Egyptian Civilization welcomed its first visitors. The Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to open soon. A total of $1.2 billion has been invested in this institution.
WHAT IS THE PLACE OF TOURISM IN THE COUNTRY'S ECONOMY?
Tourism accounts for approximately 12 percent of Egypt's budget revenues. That is, at the level of trade, transportation, industry, or the agricultural sector.
WHICH COUNTRIES HAVE RESTRICTIONS ON TRAVEL TO EGYPT RELATED TO COVID-19?
At one time, most Western European countries restricted travel to Egypt. But now there is a positive trend. One by one, these countries (including the United Kingdom) are removing Egypt from the "red" list. Now we are in the "yellow zone". And we hope that in October we will be in the green zone. Italy recently announced that it is allowing citizens to travel to Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh. These are encouraging signals from our traditional partners.
HAVE TOURIST TASTES CHANGED DURING THE PANDEMIC? WHAT IS THE PREFERENCE - BEACHES OR EDUCATIONAL TOURISM?
Before the pandemic, many tourists (especially from overseas-Japan, China, and the United States) came for the sake of history and culture. After all, they had already seen beaches in other countries. And in Egypt, they were looking for something unique.
However, during the pandemic, our guests preferred large open spaces and beaches. This is quite understandable. However, guests from Western Europe and Scandinavia have always chosen Egypt to make up for the lack of sun and warmth in their home countries. I jokingly say that they don't need to take vitamin D in Egypt. Our sun is enough.
DID YOU HAVE TIME TO GET TO KNOW OUR COUNTRY DURING YOUR TRAVELS?
My visits to Ukraine are purely business. Almost all my time is devoted to meetings with partners. But I did have a walk around your capital. Kyiv is a beautiful city. I am particularly impressed by your people - polite, good-natured, hospitable. I hope that the time will come when I will come to Ukraine as a carefree tourist. Then I will see not only Kyiv but also other Ukrainian cities. I hope that our countries will simplify visa formalities and more Egyptians will be able to visit Ukraine.
THE LAST QUESTION WILL BE MORE PERSONAL. WHAT KIND OF PERSON IS BEHIND THE IMAGE OF A SUCCESSFUL TOP MANAGER? WHO ARE YOU, MR. YOUSSEF?
I am a mechanical engineer by training. But after receiving my diploma, I quickly realized that I was more interested in dealing with people than with machines. I went to work in marketing. I have been doing this for more than twenty years. Eventually I got into the travel industry. I became the head of the ETPB three and a half years ago. I was 40 years old and the youngest among my predecessors in this position. I love to travel. Therefore, for me, every business trip is not a job, but a new adventure. I am sure that I have the right job. That is, one that brings pleasure. And I believe that tourism is not just a sector of the economy, but something more. It is a tool for uniting people, for establishing understanding and peace between nations.
