An Update on Travel to Egypt: Fingers Crossed Things May Be Stablizing Quickly

I just received an email from the Egyptian Tourist Authority that I thought was worthy of publicizing.  While I cannot vouch for its accuracy, I find the comments, the passion and the desire to move Egypt forward both extremely positive and, hopefully, a model for how the presently tumultuous Arab countries just might be able to earn the respect and support of the rest of the world.

 The Secretary-General of Al-Wafd opposition party Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour is the new Egyptian Minister of Tourism in the interim government led by Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq.



 Egypt’s newly-appointed Tourism Minister Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour invited several world-famous actors and TV celebrities to organize shows and entertainment programs on Cairo’s Tahrir Square, Al-Masry Al-Youm news agency reported on Monday. U.S. media host Oprah Winfrey is among the stars who have been invited over, in a bid to restore Egypt’s reputation as a tourist destination. The Minister made the announcement during a press conference on Saturday, which was also attended by Mr. Hussein Massoud, CEO of EgyptAir Holding Company, and Mr. Amr al-Ezabi, Chairman of the Egyptian Tourist Authority.


 The Foreign Ministry of Holland announced the lifting of its advisory against travelling to Egypt.


 The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had dropped its recommendation for Ukrainians not to visit the Egyptian resort cities of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.


 On February 28th the Spanish Foreign Ministry lifted its travel advice against travelling to Sharm el Sheikh, Luxor & Aswan.


 The Austrian Foreign Ministry has lifted its travel advisory against travelling to Luxor, Aswan and the Nile.


 The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the lifting of its advisory against travelling to Egypt.


 The Belgian Foreign Ministry announced the lifting of its advisory against travelling to Egypt.


 The Japanese Government has downgraded its travel advisory to Egypt from level 3 (do not travel) to level 2 (consider travelling) except for Sinai Peninsula, Red Sea and the Suez.


 The Danish Foreign Ministry no longer advises against travelling to Egypt.


 US based Tour Operators resuming their operations to Egypt beginning March or April:


Learning through Travel, TravelEgypt, Holy Land Travel Center, Great Safaris, Journeys International, STI Travel, African Travel Inc., Europe Express, Travcoa, YMT Vacations, Caravan Serai Tours, SunnyLand Tours, Central Holidays, Ya’lla Tours and Signature Travel


 Egypt on Facebook! For the latest Tourism news, visit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/IamEgypt, http://www.facebook.com/#!/experienceegypt