70% tourism loss for Egypt if Russian, British visitors leave – official

Moscow halted passenger flights to Egypt in the wake of the crash of a Russian jet in Egypt; a move that is considered to be a ‘severe blow’ to the country’s tourism industry, according to Mohamed Youssef Adviser to Egyptian Minister of Tourism.

Egypt is concerned over the recent outflow of Russian and British tourists – about 70 percent of its total visitors. If they do not return, it can seriously harm Egypt’s economy, as the tourist industry generates more than 11 percent of the country’s GDP.

According to Russia Today, the forecast comes from Yousef, who said losing those tourists would be “a severe blow” to the industry.

“Russian tourists are ranked first with 3 million tourists per year. British – 1 million,” Yousef said according to Al Ahram newspaper. “Their leaving is a severe blow for the industry. The loss will be 70 percent of the tourist influx.”

Egypt is the most popular destination for Russian tourists, according to Russian statistics bureau Rosstat. In the first half of this year over one million Russians visited the country, almost a fifth of all Russians going on holiday abroad. In addition, more than three million Russian tourists have visited Egypt last year.

A negative message is sent after the British attempts to bring home thousands of tourists.

Such a scenario could see Egypt’s GDP plummet, as tourism makes up 11.3 percent of GDP, while also providing for about 14 percent in the country’s revenue in foreign currencies, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Yousef’s statement comes during a rush of foreign countries suspending flights to and from Egypt in wake of the Russian plane crash in Sinai that killed all 224 people onboard.