Additional Egyptian Incentives to Boost Tourism, Aviation

Additional Egyptian Incentives to Boost Tourism, Aviation

The Egyptian government is seeking to provide more incentives to help the tourism and aviation sectors, which have been severely affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak.

In a meeting on Tuesday, the ministers of petroleum and mineral resources, antiquities and tourism, and civil aviation discussed means to support the two sectors.

The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has revealed that Egypt's tourism sector saw a remarkable 21 percent growth in 2019, with more than 13.5 million tourists. However, the pandemic and the suspension of international flights and lockdown measures have affected the sector.

The country's monthly losses due to the absence of tourists are estimated at EGP26.3 billion ($1.5 billion), according to a report by the cabinet's information center.

In July, Cairo decided to gradually reopen some of its resorts and tourism sites, in an attempt to revive the sector, which represents almost 15 percent of the economy. Yet, the returns are still less than expected amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus.

In Tuesday's meeting, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek al-Mulla said the country seeks to provide constant support to