Egypt Timeshare and Tourism in a Changing Culture

Hard hit by civil and political unrest in the Middle East, tourism in Egypt has struggled as lingering domestic upheaval, post Arab Spring, deterred vacationers and travelers.

In a country where the tourism industry employs approximately one in eight workers, the problem of job decline leading to unrest leading to tourism decline leading to more job loss is cyclical and frustrating for all. While challenges in this economic sector are only a part of the puzzle Egypt isworking to piece together, it is one that Egypt’s Minister of Tourism, Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour is determined to resolve.

During a recent press conference in Dubai, Minister Abdel Nour told reporters, “My aim for this year is to see the number of tourists to Egypt this year rise to 2010 levels.”

Through April, tourist arrivals in Egypt have increased by roughly 40 percent over the same period in 2011. If the country reaches its goal of 14.5 million tourists in 2012, it will be near its pre-revolution 2010 count of 14.7 million visitors.

Speaking during the Arabian Travel Market, Abdel Nour stressed that the images the world has seen of revolution in Tahrir Square do not accurately reflect Egypt as a whole. The website 7DaysinDubai quotes Minister Abdel Nour as saying, “… there is a great majority who live their life normally … The farmers grow, the people who work in the factories produce and the hotel managers run their resorts – everybody is doing his job smoothly.”

How a Changing Political Climate could Impact Egypt Timeshare and Tourism

Tourism is rebounding first, Abdel Nour says, in the Red Sea beach areas of Sharm el-Sheikh, where the popular Dive Inn Resort, the Grand Sharm Resort, and the Gardenia Plaza Resort are located and in Hurghada, home of the Dana Beach Resort Hotel.

Concern has been that with Islamists now dominating the Egyptian parliament, laws could be enacted to restrict alcohol sales, perhaps ban modern-day swimwear, or implement other guidelines that would change the relaxed resort atmosphere of Egypt’s vacation and tourism destinations.

In a recent article published by the Washington Post (“Egyptian tourism minister predicts return of tourists to near pre-uprising levels this year,” April 30, 2012) Minister Abdel Nour disputed these concerns, saying, “… the tourism industry is ‘doing everything in the book’ to woo visitors again. For example, it is trying to attract more charter airlines and discount carriers, and rolling out new offerings like longer Nile cruises.”

With the election of an Egyptian President not scheduled until later this month (with a run-off in June, should it be necessary), immediate answers about Egypt’s future remain unclear. But what is clear is that global tourists and Egyptian family vacationers seeking to enjoy the timeless sun, sand, and shoreline of an Egypt timeshare vacation are currently faced with excellent opportunities to buy or rent Egypt timeshare at highly competitive prices.

For many Egypt nationals now living abroad and others with Egyptian heritage, buying Egypt timeshare is an ideal way to plan annual visits to family and friends still living there. For vacationers from the United Kingdom and Northern Europe, who have always  flocked to Egypt’s sunshine and beaches, now would seem  an opportune time to vacation in Egypt while yesterday’s uncertainties are passing and today’s red carpet and competitive pricing for accommodations, dining, and attractions remain strong.