review wtm london africa


Egypt targets new markets T


ourists are returning to Egypt “in good numbers” across a wider range of destinations


than before, the country’s tourism minister has said. Last year, eight million tourists visited Egypt, a number still far below 2010’s peak of 14.7 million. In the nine months to September this year, 55% of visitors came from the EU and 30% from Arab markets. The remaining 12% were from Asia and the rest of the world.


Speaking at WTM London, Egyptian minister of tourism Dr Rania Al-Mashat said the country was now targeting emerging markets such as China, Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. Last month, Egypt launched its new inbound aviation incentive programme, which Al-Mashat expects to create an infl ux of new fl ights to various destinations”.


Egypt has been working with airlines since the start of the year to establish a scheme that is “open to everyone”, said Al-Mashat, with airlines rewarded for the more fl ights they steer to Egyptian destinations. Additional incentives are available to airlines putting on fl ights of six hours or longer. Hygiene is another key focus following the deaths of two British tourists at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in Hurghada earlier this


year. An investigation by the Egyptian


authorities concluded the couple,


Thomas Cook holidaymakers John and Susan Cooper, died


after contracting E.coli.


A programme


will start in Hurghada, where more


than 100 hotels will be audited,


with plans to extend


this to other Red Sea resorts. “Egypt is moving from recovery


to rebound,” said Al-Mashat. “Last year ended very positively. For 2018, tourists are coming back in good numbers. More importantly, they are coming to diff erent destinations. Traditional destinations are seeing some competition.”


The long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza is on course to open in 2020 – the only museum, said Al-Mashat, to feature the Pyramids as a backdrop. It will host a “full” Tutankhamun collection featuring more than 5,000 exhibits, some yet unseen. A new Sphinx International airport will also open nearby.


Fresh start for Sierra Leone S


ierra Leone is embarking on a project to change its image and attract more tourists.


Speaking at WTM London, Dr Memunatu Pratt, Sierra Leone’s minister of tourism and culture, said “tourism had had its challenges” in the past, due to the country’s associations with blood diamonds, civil war and Ebola. However, she said 2018 marked a new chapter for Sierra Leone, thanks to a new government that hopes to develop infrastructure, help the West African country to “change its narrative” and use marketing to “improve its national image”. Government infrastructure plans include a new bridge connecting the airport to Freetown, the country’s port city and capital.


wtm.com


ratt said ierra eone off ered diverse experiences for tourists including pristine beaches, a cultural capital city and plenty of wildlife experiences, with native animals including chimpanzees, monkeys, pygmy hippos and numerous bird types.


Pygmy hippos are native to Sierra Leone


EVENT REVIEW


Djibouti ambition T


iny Djibouti, one of the world’s least visited nations, hopes to launch itself as a tourist destination after exhibiting at WTM London for the fi rst time.


It is estimated that the country,


bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, attracts only about 73,000 arrivals each year despite a climate, landscape, history and beaches that could appeal to travellers worldwide.


iouti off ers plenty of culture


Last year Djibouti celebrated the 40th anniversary of its independence from France, and has signalled it wants to develop its tourism industry as one of its growth sectors. Travel publisher Lonely Planet rated Djibouti fourth in its rankings of the top 10 countries to visit in 2018, due to its dramatic landscapes and mix of land and water activities. A National


Tourism ffi ce of Djibouti spokesperson said: “Djibouti is what it always was, a trading post where


diff erent cultures and empires collide. A heady mix of African, rabic and rench infl uences give Djibouti City an exotic atmosphere and vibe. Djibouti might be small in terms of country size, but everything about it is huge.” The country already has good air access, including services from Air France, Turkish Airlines and Kenya Airways, while the capital Djibouti City boasts leading hotel brands including Sheraton and Kempinski.


Swimming with whale sharks is one of the highlights for tourists, while other activities include diving, fi shing, hiking and bird- watching. Djibouti also boasts mountains, volcanoes, salt lakes and deserts. However, its location means it hosts several foreign military bases, and the British oreign ffi ce advises against all travel to the border with Eritrea.


winter 2018 wtm insights 25


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