ABTA’s first Arabian convention underway
ABTA Convention Special: The 49th ABTA Convention started today in Cairo.
Egyptian Ministry for Tourism spokesperson, Elhamy El Zayat, this morning welcomed the first ABTA Convention to be held in an Arab State. The prime minister of Egypt will be attending the welcome party at the pyramids this evening.
Elhamy El Zayat said that Egypt had been host to agent associations from other countries, including Australia’s ASTA, and was “looking forward to living up to the challenge of the ABTA Convention”.
ABTA head of corporate affairs, Keith Betton (right) said that 1,650 delegates were attending the convention, which was more than anticipated, and on a par with last year’s convention in Lisbon, which attracted 1,600.
The Convention will be a boost to Cairo’s tourist industry, although Elhamy El Zayat said that hotels in Cairo had been fully booked in recent weeks. He said the terrorist attack in Bali and the threat of war with Iraq has so far had no impact on tourism in Egypt.
Security is tight at the Convention – delegates must wear security passes at all times, even to gain access to the Convention nightclubs. All delegates pass through a metal detector on entry to the International Convention Centre, and bags are scanned.
TravelMole will bring you the latest stories as they unravel at the Cairo Convention.
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