The Russians are back. Egypt’s top tourist destinations, especially the Red Sea resorts, can expect visitors from colder climes. Local tourism is expected to perk up. The losses of the past 18 months since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic will be compensated, specialists say.
Russia resumed charter flights to Egypt earlier this month, reversing a flight suspension following the bombing of a Russian passenger aircraft over Sinai in late 2015.
Tour operators can afford to be more optimistic after the Egyptian government prepared the tourism sector over the years with special security measures at the nation’s airports and tourist destinations.
“Local destinations have waited too long for Russian tourists,” said Atef Abdel Latif, head of local tourism advocacy group, Travellers.
“The return of the Russian tourists to these destinations will surely bring in much-awaited activity to these destinations,” a local newspaper quoted him as saying.
The first two Russian charter flights touched down at Hurghada International Airport on August 9. Airport staff received the flights with much enthusiasm.
The return of Russian tourists to Egypt coincides with the fast-paced inoculation process around the world against Covid-19.
In Egypt, almost all tourism workers, especially in the Red Sea resorts, have been vaccinated against the disease.
To ensure the safety of incoming tourists, the Egyptian authorities have taken a set of strict measures such as the health certificate that tourist establishments must obtain certifying that they comply with health guidelines specified by the Ministry of Health and Population.
The nation’s hotels are also taking steps to protect visitors from the disease, including social distancing and a resident health specialist in every hotel.
Bashar Abu Taleb, head of the Tour Guides’ Union in the Red Sea, expects more Russian charter flights to Egypt for one-day tours to Luxor and Aswan, which will bring in much income to the national treasury.
“The same tours will bring in enough work for tour guides,” Abu Taleb said.
He called on the government to pay special attention to the quality of roads and to build new ones to ease arrivals to tourist sites and destinations around Egypt.
Independent tourism expert Sameh Abdel Aziz hopes that Russian charter flights to Egypt will make tourism thrive, especially to the Red Sea.
Russian tourists, he said, are fond of Egypt and its civilisation.
“Egypt was among the most important tourist destinations for Russian tourists before the pandemic,” Abdel Aziz said, adding that their return will also reflect on those not directly involved in tourism, like transport and catering.
“This means that the more tourists come, the better the chances for our economy to grow and thrive,” Abdel Aziz said.
Some 809 Russian tourists came on the first two charter flights from Russia to Hurghada.
Apart from the staff of Hurghada International Airport, Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi also received the tourists on board with flowers.
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