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Delegates to the 34th Annual
Africa Travel Association (ATA) Congress in Cairo
May 17-21, 2009 will have an exciting opportunity
to discover Egypt's' rapidly developing sea coast
destinations on pre or post conference trips.
Alexandria, on the Mediterranean Sea and Egypt's
second largest city, is the gateway to one of the
hot spots for development on the north coast. Along
the Red Sea coast and on the Sinai Peninsula, the
popular and well known Sharm el-Sheikh is now
joined by some other tourist centers like Hurghada,
Marsa Alam and the newly opened luxurious Marina
complex at Port Ghalib. This coastal boom is due in
large part to the increased air access with the
opening of new regional international
airports. EGYPT'S SEA COAST
DESTINATIONS:
ALEXANDRIA Alexandria, or "Alex" as it
is affectionately called by Egyptians and those "in
the know," is often referred to as the "Pearl of
the Mediterranean." Rich in History and culture,
Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great in
331 BC, served as the capital of Grecco-Roman Egypt
and was also the setting for the stormy
relationship between Anthony and Cleopatra. Few
people know that it also boasted the famous Pharos
lighthouse that was one of the original Wonders of
the Ancient World along with the Pyramids. Ancient
Alexandria was also the center of learning and the
Alexandria Library was the largest in the World.
Only 225 km from Cairo,
Modern Alexandria is the country's largest Seaport
and an important year-round tourist destination.
There is no question that the romantic image and
attraction of this exotic Mediterranean port was
made famous by many western authors, including
Lawrence Durell, who made it the setting for his
famous novel, "The Alexandria Quartet." The Cecil
Hotel mentioned in his book is a wonderful example
of post colonial architecture, and is being
renovated by Sofitel to become one of their new
"Legend" hotels. Alexandria has many ancient
landmarks and archaeological sites to explore
including the Roman Amphitheatre, the Villa Al
Toyour (Birds Villa), the first Mosaic Museum in
Egypt, the Al Anfushi Tombs, El Shatby Necropolis,
Pompey's Pillar and the Catacombs of Kom El
Shoqafa. The Graeco-Roman Museum has a fascinating
collection which covers the period from the 34 th
Century BC to the 7th Century AD. One of the
foremost Alexandrian landmarks today is the Sutlan
Qaitbey Fort, on the original site of the "Pharos"
lighthouse. Bibliotecha Alexandria and
planned Underwater Museum to Boost City's
Tourism It is the more than its
millions of books that attract over 800,000
visitors annually to the new state-of-the-art
"Bibliotecha Alexandria" (Alexandria Library)
opened in 2002 and built in the shape of a disc
facing the Mediterranean. Its geodesic dome houses
a lecture hall and Planetarium equipped with an
IMAX screen and a Museum of Archaeology. The
basement contains 8000 ancient manuscripts and rare
books. Definitely a must-see for visitors to
Alexandria. Ambitious plans to create
Egypt's first Underwater Museum will complement the
excitement of Alexandria's Library. In the year
356, Alexandria was hit by a tsunami, followed by
subsequent earthquakes. The result was that some of
the city's greatest archaeological treasures were
buried in the sea. Since 1994, divers have been
excavating sphinxes, granite blocks and what are
thought to be pieces of the Pharos lighthouse. The
grand vision for the Underwater Museum in
Alexandria calls for an immersed fiber glass tunnel
that will allow visitors a dry place to view these
ancient monuments. The real lure of Alexandria,
however, is the tantalizing rhythm of this City,
which ebbs and flows like the tides of the sea. To
experience the local "Alex" the visitor must wander
its labyrinth of streets in the ancient quarters,
and join the locals at sun set as they promenade
along the Corniche as it winds its way around the
harbor. THE NORTH COAST BEYOND
ALEXANDRIA West of Alexandria lie miles
of beautiful white sandy beaches, stretching along
the Mediterranean Sea to the border with Libya.
This Mediterranean coastline has been the focus of
new development and increased air access. The North
Coast is now served by airports in Alexandria,
El-Alamein, Borg el-Arab and Marsa Matruh. The
seaside resorts, ranging from the ultra luxurious
to more modest family resorts, are popular during
the summer time with both local and foreign
tourists. Mariut: 15 km west of
Alexandria The region's climate is ideal
for spa tourism and relaxation. In addition to Lake
Mariut, there are the extensive remains of the
early Christian City of Abu Mena. Agami: 25 Km West of
Alexandria Now the meeting-place for the
jet set, Agami is called the "Egyptian
Saint-Tropez" with fashionable restaurants,
nightclubs, luxury cars and villas. Swimming
however is restricted to private
beaches. Abu Sir: 50km West of
Alexandria Abu Sir is the name given by
the Bedouins to the ancient Ptolemaic city of
Tappsiris Magna. However, all that remains of the
city is the 30m-high lighthouse, a
quarter&endash;sized replica of the "Ancient Wonder
of the World" Lighthouse that had stood in
Alexandria's port. Three beautiful beaches are
located nearby. Borg el-Arab: 60km West of
Alexandria Founded in 1988 by President
Mubarak, Borg el-Arab has become a prestigious
destination. With the opening of the Hilton Hotel,
it is an ideal family resort and has excellent
water sports facilities. El-Alamein/Marina El
Alamein: 106 Km from
Alexandria A port city known primarily
as the site of historic World War II battles, El
Alamein has now emerged as one of Egypt's most
exclusive resorts. The Marina El Alamein, with
Venice-like canals, is comprised of luxurious
villas, chalets and upscale shops. Sidi Abdel Rahman: 125 Km
from Alexandria This wonderful bay is one of
the best-kept secrets of Egypt's entire north
coast. The village has managed to preserve its
traditional Bedouin way of life and remains
relatively underdeveloped, guaranteeing an air of
authenticity. The only hotel catering for tourists,
El-Alamein, offers visitors pristine
beaches. Marsa Matruh: 240 km West
of Alexandria Totally to the other extreme
from Sidi Abdel Rahman, Marsa Matruh is a large
city, which is packed during the summer. Popular
for its lovely bay, sparkling turquoise waters and
white sandy beaches, Marsa Matruh is said to have
been founded by Alexander the Great on his way to
the Siwa Oasis. EGYPT'S SEA COAST
DESTINATIONS: SINAI PENINSULA Sharm
el-Sheikh Sharm el-Sheikh, more often
referred to as "Sharm", is an ideal resort for
diving and swimming with beautiful beaches, coral
reefs and the Ras Mohamad National Park. Visitors
can select from a wide range of
accommodations--five star luxuries to budget
hotels. It is also an excellent jumping off point
for tours to some of the historic places in the
Sinai, including St. Catherine's Monastery at the
foot of "Jebel Musa" where Moses is said to have
received the Ten Commandments. Desert Safaris
feature visits to a Bedouin village and a camel
ride in the desert sands. For smaller, peaceful
resorts with beautiful beaches and wonderful diving
and snorkeling one should not miss Dahab, Nuweiba,
and Taba, all north of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Red Sea Coast:
Hurgada Once a small fishing village
founded in the early 20th Century, Hurgada is now
one of the foremost tourist resorts along the Red
Sea and world famous as a center for international
aquatic sports. Known as the center for diving,
water sports and night life, it is also known to
the Europeans as a "party town." The developments
north and south of the city offer visitors more
peaceful options including golf. The many beautiful
islands off shore offer wonderful snorkeling and
diving day trips. El Gourna, 20 kms
north of Hurgada, is luxury resort comlpex with a
marina, another "must see" on this
coast. Red Sea Coast: Port Ghalib
Marina and Resort Complex The recently opened Port
Ghalib Marina and Resort Complex, five minutes from
the new Marsa Alam International Airport, is
definitely the new "buzz" on the Red Sea. A
yachtsmen's paradise, this ultra deluxe resort with
a marina (can accommodate 1000 boats) and four
hotels (the five-star deluxe Intercontinental
Palace Port Ghalib Resort, the five star twin
Crowne Plaza properties, Sahara Sands and Sahara
Oasis, and the four- star Marina Lodge Port Ghalib,
will certainly rival that of the more established
resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurgada.
ATA CONGRESS: "CONNECTING
DESTINATION AFRICA" The theme of the four-day
Africa Travel Association Congress is "Connecting
Destination Africa." The Egyptian Ministry of
Tourism and the Egyptian Tourist Authority (ETA)
are subsidizing hotel accommodations for all
delegates and providing transportation, logistical
support, and a full day of tours in Cairo itself.
The "host day" tour will include a visit to the
only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, The
Pyramids in Giza, as well as a visit to the
National Museum. Egypt Air, the official
Congress Carrier, is offering discount rates for
all delegates for as low as $711 (not including
tax) round-trip New York/Cairo/New York in economy
class on a first come basis. Egypt Air is a member
of Star Alliance. For more information about
Egypt: www.egypt.travel For more information about
the ATA Congress and for online ATA Egypt Congress
registration: www.africatravelassociation.org
