Egypt welcomed 3.5 million tourists in 2020 with 70% COVID-19 slump

Egypt-welcomed-3.5-million-tourists-in-2020-with-70-COVID-19-slump

Tourism-related revenue took a significant hit in 2020 in the popular destinations of Egypt. The 3.5 million who visited the home of the Great Pyramid that year was a 70% reduction on the corresponding figure of 13.1 million the previous year.

Meanwhile, two-thirds of those 3.5 million came in January and February, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic causing Egypt to significantly increase entry requirements.

As a result of this drastic drop, the country lost at least $1 billion a month during much of 2020, resulting in a revenue total of $4 billion for the year as opposed to the $13 billion that had been received in 2019.

Khalid al-Anani, Egypt’s minister of tourism and antiquities, said that he hopes for improved times in 2021, and a contract has been signed with a foreign company to help that happen.

It will provide a strategy for promoting and improving tourism. However, according to al-Anani, the focus will be on “how to build an exciting reputation for Egypt” as opposed to the specific numbers experienced.

Egypt-welcomed-3.5-million-tourists-in-2020-with-70-COVID-19-decline

Egypt had entered 2020 riding an impressive wave of momentum as far as tourism numbers go.

It received 5.3 million visitors in 2016 before that figure rose to 8.2 million in 2017 and 11.2 million in 2018 and peaked in 2019 before dropping precipitously in 2020.

Air travel was stopped between March and July, and, although the country has reopened since then, resulting requirements for entry have deterred many.

All, including Egyptians, must have a negative PCR test that was taken no more than 72-96 hours prior to departing for Egypt; the exact time allowed depends on the originating location. However, no quarantine is necessary.

Additionally, those traveling to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport may instead take a PCR test after arriving at a cost of $30 but will need to quarantine at a hotel until the test result is returned and remain quarantined if it is positive.

Egypt-welcomed-3.5-million-tourists-in-2020-with-70-COVID-19-decline