Hotel occupancy in Egypt’s Red Sea resorts inch 35-40% higher in H1

Hotel occupancy inched between 35 percent and 40 percent higher in Egypt’s Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada in the first six months of the year, a tourism official told Reuters on Tuesday.

The figure is much higher from 20 percent and 23 percent witnessed a year earlier.

In Cairo, hotel occupancy surged to around 45 percent, from 27 percent in the first half of 2020, the official added.

Tourism is a vital source of foreign revenue, making up to 15 percent of Egypt’s gross domestic product (GDP) but was brought to a near standstill due to the pandemic.

To counter the spread of COVID-19, the government had placed a 50 percent occupancy limit on hotels, restaurants, and cultural events, but announced earlier this week that it would raise the limit to 70 percent.