Salafist party to refrain from decisions damaging to tourism

[DJKeefy]

The Salafist Nour Party to endorse political truce for specific period in order to reactivate economy.

Nader Bakkar, the official spokesperson for the Salafist Nour Party, announced during a national dialogue with the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers on Wednesday evening that the party will not take any decision for a period of one year in the coming People’s Assembly (the lower house of parliament) that might damage the country’s tourism sector.

Bakkar explained that the Nour Party is calling for a new initiative to overcome the current economic crisis "by endorsing a political truce for a specific period, which could be a year, during which the government, presidency and various political forces can execute an agreed upon legislative and economic agenda for an economic renaissance."

He also pointed out that this step will be sufficient enough to reactivate the economy and to resolve the tourism crisis in the current period.

Bakkar made it clear that it is not possible for an official to close a crucial and ongoing activity like tourism, affirming that a balance may be struck between the party's principles and the country’s economic requirements.

Salafist Nour Party confirmed that they will not close down beach tourism since it is an essential part of tourism in Egypt.

A number of party representatives, the minister of tourism, and the head of the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers attended Wednesday’s meeting.

Last week, Elhamy El-Zayat, head of Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers, told Ahram’s Arabic-language news website that since the 5 December clashes between opponents and supporters of President Mohamed Morsi at the presidential palace, Egypt has been losing 250 million dollars on a weekly basis.

He also expressed concern at the low tourist figures seen in Egypt this Christmas holiday.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/61363.aspx

[DJKeefy]

So what happens after a year then?

[Who2]

Someone of influence should remind them of that old saying and action ' to cut off one's nose is to.....ect
Alexander the Great offered that alternative to death, thereby disarming their emotional centers for seeking revenge...
ps: 'not a lot of people know that!

[Bearded Brian]

Perhaps over the next year or so they are hoping to lure more tourists from other muslim countries to come to Egypt to replace us westeners.

[Winged Isis]

They get more than enough of the wrong types from those countries, so maybe not.

[Chocolate Eclair]

So what happens after a year then?

Precisely, What will happen when this period is over? This years Tourism has been rubbish and many people are suffering real hardship, some have had a bit of cash come in over Christmas but that will not last the rest of the year!

And by reporting "We are going to hold off for a specific time" is no help at all, even though those that are saying it, believe it will be.

Everything that you hear, does not give people much confidence at all, and by now I would think that the many who tried to push and advertise Luxor are getting to their wits end.

Its such a very hard time for those in tourism at the moment, its a good job there has been a little boost at Christmas, Al Baierat Hotel has been full, and is full over the New Year, but that income will not last until the next tourist season, you had may as well say next year, because this one is all but finished now.

There needs to be some action taken when the New government are elected because, the country is so split at the moment with all the different factions fighting for space showing no concern to their Country and how they are pushing it towards the hands of another dictatorship. Probably when the New President said he would not devalue the Egyptian Pound he maybe knew that the LE would all but crash anyway, that may be a bit of a boost to Tourism, but I personally feel that the LE will be devalued anyway, the securities are just no longer there to prop up the LE. This will create high inflation, higher costs for basic items, and so on and so on, most of us ex pats have lived through high inflation so we know what it creates.

I can understand fully why the people wanted to get rid of the basically "Military Junta" but they did not have a plan "B" to turn too, so all the work they did is now falling around their knee's, when you talk to people its obvious they have no idea what democracy means, so how can you vote for something you know nothing about.

[Scottishtourist]

How's tourism doing at the moment anyway?
I've heard that the Nile cruises are busy,busy,busy!
I tend to take that news with a pinch of salt!
They may devalue the Egyptian LE,but I don't really see that it will benefit tourism in any way,shape or form.Surely it will just mean that all prices will rise and tourists will just pay more.We may get more LE for our Sterling,but will be paying more for flights,hotels,meals,alcohol,entertainment,etc.
There are also the "conscientious"European,liberal tourists who are unwilling to support a newly perceived Muslim dictatorship which restricts basic human rights,i.e,freedom of speech,women's rights,etc,and will spend their dollars,euros,yen,sterling elsewhere.
Was reading today that main bookings for 2013 are for Turkey,Canaries and Spain.Will Luxor compete in the tourist market?
Many Europeans are worried and frightened about the implications of this new "Islamic Republic of Egypt"despite the assurances of Islamists,Salafis,etc.
Let's face it,Luxor and Egypt in general cannot compete!It's filthy,hotel standards have fallen,hassle is intense,I accepted lower standards because "this is Egypt!" and I know how it is!But will "first timers"accept this?NO!...and yet,regular visitors go back,half the time just to see if their worst fears have been realised,or if improvement is on the cards!
I was there October 2012...think it'll be Marmaris for Spring break 2013...that'll be comforting news to likes of Who2!
And how many other tourists will follow suit?
A helluva lot in my opinion!
We just cannot ignore the news reports any more...and any responsible tourist willl do their homework carefully and go to places where they are not subjected to instability,hassle,hostility,rip offs,harassment,etc.
So who'll go to Luxor?The backpackers,students,orfi "business"wives...and anyone else who still looks at it through "rose tinted"glasses.