BTN_March_2012_Day3_Layout 1 07/03/2012 09:31 Page 1
ITB Berlin Special Edition
Etihad: Rise and rise of UAE flag-carrier p30
Friday 9 March 2012
www.breakingtravelnews.com
Egypt at ITB: ITB Berlin’s Partner Country Egypt p 44
Egypt is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world
Savoy Group: Savoy Sharm tops TripAdvisor polls p 9 History is key to the Egyptian offering
Egyptian recovery gathers pace at ITB Berlin Nobody could have predicted this. When Egypt signed on to become partner country for ITB Berlin 2012 back in 2010 the landscape was very different to the circumstances in which the country now finds itself. But after a year of headlines, Egypt the tourist destination is beginning to assert itself once again. Visitor numbers are up, with many consumers taking advantage of once-in-a-lifetime holiday offerings, while stability is also returning to the national government. The peaceful revolution has been the theme dominating the participation of this popular tourism destination at the annual ITB Berlin. Having taken up his post just weeks ago, the new minister of tourism expressed his delight that ITB Berlin was the destination of his first trip abroad. “This is extremely important for us,” Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour told Breaking Travel News, adding, “we stand by our business partners and will be honouring all our agreements.”
He noted, as the sector contributing most to the Egyptian economy, tourism would continue to remain important, with the livelihood of one in seven Egyptians depending directly or indirectly upon the industry. The tourism authorities have reacted quickly and adjusted their promotional campaigns to accommodate recent events. Taking as its slogan ‘Welcome to the country of the peaceful revolution’, a campaign has been launched focusing on a peaceful new beginning.
History of Egypt Showcased Egypt has been exhibiting at ITB Berlin ever since the show’s launch in 1966. In 2012 it occupies close to 2,000 square metres of floor space in Hall 23, making it one of the largest exhibitors at the show. Visitors to the hall can experience the diversity of Egypt’s holiday regions, including the Nile Delta, Red Sea, desert landscapes, vast oases and the Mediterranean coast. At a bazaar ITB visitors can also purchase the country’s handicrafts, sample regional specialities, or enjoy a musical foretaste of Egypt with atmospheric live music and folk presentations. Badawy, one of the country’s best known chefs, will be cooking dishes at the Brandenburg Restaurant in Hall 24.
A colourful Egyptian carnival procession has also been taking place in the various halls on each day of the fair. An impressive performance of traditional Tanoura dancing, which involves an artistic display of dancers’ skirts, has caused a stir in Hall 4.1. Samaa, a group of Islamic and Coptic singers, blends different religious beliefs with its sounds, expressing peace among faiths and Egypt’s uniformity as a nation. On March 11th, at the closing ceremony of ITB Berlin, Egypt will put on an artistic performance with The Festival of the Delphic Games. David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin, added: “Egypt is one of the world’s oldest travel destinations and nowadays it combines modernity and tradition; a culture that goes back thousands of years. Exciting desert areas, the Nile and endless beaches make this country one of the world’s most attractive holiday destinations. “Its diversity of tourism attractions ranges from high quality hotels in every price range to excellent value for money offers in areas such as golf, diving, desert tours, health tourism and wellness, as well as cultural trips and city tours.”
For more information visit www.egypt.travel or head over to Hall 23.A/100.
for all the latest travel news: www.breakingtravelnews.com