Egypt’s tops tourist destination in Mideast, North Africa
Egypt has become the top tourist destination among Middle East and North Africa countries and is the world’s 24th most attractive tourist destination, according to a report by Minister of Tourism Zuhir Garana.
The new strategy is based on increasing Egypt’s tourist potentials, honing its competitive edge, taping new markets and diversifying tourist destinations in addition to luring tourists to unconventional markets and improving services.
It showed that Egypt attracts 23 percent of tourists coming to the Middle East region, 1.2 percent of the size of international tourism, one percent of international tourist revenues.
In 2007, 11 million tourists visited Egypt, spending a total of 112 tourist nights and bringing to Egypt 9.5 billion dollars in earnings, the report said.
UNESCO places Qatrani Mountain on the Natural Heritage list
Minister of Environment Maged George said that a comprehensive file about Qatarani Mountain in el-Fayyoum was prepared to be presented to UNESCO to be placed on the International Natural Heritage list.
The minister said that the Qatarani Mountain is a rocky area which contains many marine and river excavations which goes back to more than 40 million years. The area also includes the oldest monkey excavation called “Egyptopetex” and also the old Fayyoum animal which resembles the rhinoceros in its shape but have 4 horns.
He said that the mountain also includes a unique types of sea horses, dolphins, sharks and birds in addition to the historical and scientific geological formations.
The international community would be committed to providing technical and finanical support to preserve this area ,
the minister said , adding that the UNESCO will make advertising campaigns for this area as it is considered an international natural heritage area and it will be put on the international environment tourism map.
It is expected that Qatarani Mountain in el-Fayyoum will be placed on the International Natural Heritage list in August 2008 to become the 2nd Egyptian area after the Whales’ Valley.
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May 5, 2008
Posted in: Egypt