Egypt to restructure tourism industry for a post-Covid world

Tourism in the North African country faces another year of restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.

JOHANNESBURG, April 7 (ANA) – Egypt’s government plans to restructure the tourism sector, which has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, to position it for a take-off beyond the health crisis.

Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA) quoted Egypt’s ambassador to Brazil, Wael Ahmed Kamal Aboulmagd as saying authorities had decided to take advantage of the down time enforced by the pandemic to undertake a complete overhaul of the industry.

According to the news agency, tourism in the North African country faces another year of restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the novel virus.

To get ready for post-Covid-19 resumption of travel, the government has engaged in activities such as a royal mummies parade last weekend.

Twenty-two mummies were hauled from the Cairo Museum on Tahrir Square to their new home – the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, Old Cairo.

Aboulmagd said Egyptians were thrilled to see the positive reaction and the tremendous interest in this event worldwide.

“We certainly hope that this event will provide a much-needed boost to the tourism industry which has suffered globally from the impact of Covid-19,” he said.

In order to attract Brazilian tourists, the government was finalising the launch of direct EgyptAir flights between Cairo and Sao Paolo, he added. ANBA last December that talks for the airline route were at an advanced stage.

Egypt allowed the resumption of international flights last July, although all passengers must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken prior to departure as well as valid health insurance.

– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Stella Mapenzauswa