São Paulo – The number of foreign tourists in Egypt has rebounded over the past few months. According to figures released this Friday (15th) by the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), the country received 884,000 foreigners in September this year, up 193% from 301,000 visitors in the comparable period in 2013.
According to IDSC data published by the Al Ahram newspaper, the number of foreigners visiting the country is on the rebound because several European countries which had restricted travel to Egypt early this year have lifted their bans. As a consequence, tourists have gone back to Egypt.
The same survey indicates that in August this year, foreigner influx to the country was up 76.7% from August 2013, to over 997,000 visitors.
More overnight stays
In addition to higher traveller influx, tourists have spent more nights in the Arab country. Overnight stays were up 704% in September to 8.8 million nights, as against 1.9 million stays in September 2013.
According to the IDSC, the tourism industry accounts for 11% of Egypt’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Visitor numbers had plummeted due to political turmoil in the country. Former president Hosni Mubarak stepped down in early 2011 due to popular protests. Another president, Mohamed Morsi, was elected but later ousted in July 2013. This year, a new leader was chosen. Abdel Fatah El Sisi was inaugurated last June. Ever since, tourist influx has been on the way up.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum