Don’t Destroy Beach Tourism, Egypt’s New Leader Told

The beanbag chair decorated with pharaonic-era rulers that Waleed displays has found another use since passing business at this Egyptian Red Sea resort slowed to a trickle.

As five hours go by in the sticky afternoon heat without a customer, he stretches out on the bag himself and dozes off.

It’s been 17 months since a popular uprising unseated President Hosni Mubarak and tipped Egypt’s tourism industry into crisis.

Many in the industry fear it will never fully recover if the new Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, bans the skimpy swimwear and alcoholic drinks that are standard items on beach holidays for many foreign tourists.

“My business has shrunk by at least 70 percent in the past year,” said Waleed, who asked to be identified by his first name only.

Reuters