Fair Go Pharaoh!
Experts in archaeology and tourism provided updates of two significant aspects of Egypt to members of the travel industry and invited guests during a reception and promotional evening organised at the Consulate-General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Sydney earlier this week.
Naguib Kanawati, Professor of Egyptology and Director of the Australian Centre for Egyptology, Macquarie University, gave a briefing on his latest discoveries at Saqqara near Cairo.
The Head of the Egyptology Department said that his team from the university had made significant findings including the recovery of rare wooden statues dating back to 2345 BC and the Old Kingdom.
The group has also worked to preserve the 32 room finely decorated and flat top tomb of Mereruka outside Cairo. “This is the most beautiful of all Egyptian tombs,” he said.
Many of the priceless treasures that archaeologists from Macquarie University have unearthed over the past 30 years will be on display at the Cairo Museum during January and February, he said.
[Pictured: Elhamy ElZayat (left) and Naguib Kanawati presented an upbeat picture of Egypt earlier this week.]
“Tourism is the number one economic activity in Egypt. There were 9.2 million tourists in 2006 and an increase of 6 per cent is expected this year”, said Elhamy ElZayat, Chairman and CEO, Emeco Travel, Cairo.
Australian arrivals topped the 40,000 mark last year. The average 10 night stay is well above the world average of 8 ½ nights, he added.
With these figures in mind and in recognition of the country’s potential the Australian market can’t be ignored, he said. Though no tourist office representation is forecast, the senior tourism executive hinted that there is a plan to promote Egyptian tourism in Australia.
Cairo retains its appeal for Australians though with its increasingly sophisticated facilities the resort of Sharm el Sheikh is also very popular. Last year, the most accessible and developed tourist resort community on the Sinai Peninsula received more than seven million visitors.
Mr ElZayat said that while the opening of terminal three at Cairo’s international airport next February will double receiving capacity to 22 million passengers a year EgyptAir did not have plans to resume its Australian services.
The flag carrier is, however, increasing its fleet size from 48 to 60 aircraft which will allow the introduction of new services and augment frequency to existing destinations.
Mr ElZayat also emphasised the intense measures that have been put into place to ensure visitor security.
Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King, TravelMole’s Travel and Lifestyle Editor
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events