It will facilitate analysis and comparison with international activities in the tourism sector, to understand the competitive capabilities of Egypt’s tourism
Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-said and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Al-Anani discuss several joint files and possible sub-account unit in recent meeting.
Both sides reviewed plans and targets for the tourism sector, and the possible activation of the sub-accounts unit at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
El-said highlighted the necessity of the sub-accounts unit, which would be useful in developing realistic estimates relating to the size of tourism activity and setting the necessary forecasts to achieve plans.
She also noted that it would enable all tourism data to build a real strategy with realistic and achievable goals that are in line with Egypt Vision 2030.
Despite the impact of the COVID-10 pandemic, and being one of the most affected sectors in Egypt, the tourism sector still enjoys development opportunities as it reassess the situation, alongside an improving performance noted the minister.
This includes an opportunity to use the temporary decline in traveler numbers to raise the sector’s efficiency in terms of equipment and infrastructure, whilst raising the proficiency of its employees, as well as structural and technical matters.
The sub-account unit would also enable the government the ability to evaluate the tourism sector’s performance, its developmental impacts in light of its relationship with other sectors in the national economy, and would ensure the standardization of data sources according to scientific concepts and methodology.
It will also facilitate analysis and comparison with international activities in the tourism sector, to understand the competitive capabilities of Egypt’s tourism.
Al-Anani highlighted his ministry’s close cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in setting the former’s objectives and plans, covering medium- and long-term plans in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
He emphasized his eagerness in activating the sub-accounts unit. Its success would be noted through its analysis of the sector’s achievements and performance levels, through providing accurate and organized statistics that identify tourism’s real contribution to the national economy, as well as supporting investment decisions; and activating and promoting tourism.
Al-Anani said Egypt was able to achieve great success in the tourism and antiquities sectors despite the COVID-19 crisis, and has provided an important model for work based on science and accurate planning.
Earlier this week, the minister announced that Egypt’s tourism revenues slumped 70% year-on-year (y-o-y) to record $4bn due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis in 2020, down from $13.03bn in 2019.
Reuters quoted Al-Anani as saying that a total of 3.5 million tourists visited Egypt in 2020, compared to 13.1 million in 2019.
