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ECTP STRONG SUPPORT FOR NEW EGYPTIAN TOURISM INITIATIVES
( Forimmediaterelease.net)
Luxor, Hawaii, Brussels, Seychelles - ICTP
(International Coalition of Tourism Partners) today
pledged its full support for a wide range of initiatives
launched by Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou during a
meeting to review the future of Egyptian tourism, held
under the auspices of the Minister and the Secretary
General of UNWTO (UN World Tourism Organization).
The event brought together Egyptian ministers,
governors, tourism industry leaders and international
experts from the sector. There was a wide consensus on a
framework – outlined by the Minister - to expand
flights, simplify visas, and strengthen green growth
programs. There was also a strong expression of
solidarity with the people of Egypt during their
socio-political evolution, as well as great confidence
in the sector as a fundamental deliverer of jobs,
exports, and investment for the country.
ICTP President Professor Geoffrey Lipman said the
Egyptian tourism product and experience is one of the
finest in the world, and he pledged the full support of
the Coalition for the new initiatives. “No country has a
richer heritage or variety of tourism experience, and we
plan to strengthen ICTP`s engagement in the coming
months. Egypt has long committed to green destination
and corporate management schemes.”
He added: “We are delighted that the Governor of Luxor,
Tarek Saad El din, had agreed that Luxor would join the
Council of ICTP and actively work together to advance
its green growth and quality tourism programs. Luxor is
especially important as one of the great global centers
of humanity and civilization, with an incredible tourism
patrimony.”
ABOUT ICTP
The International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP)
is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global
destinations committed to quality service and green
growth. ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders
to share quality and green opportunities including tools
and resources, access to funding, education, and
marketing support.
ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined
travel formalities, fair coherent taxation, and
investments for jobs. ICTP supports the UN Millennium
Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization`s
Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of
programs that underpin them. For more information on
ICTP go to www.ictp.travel
MEDIA CONTACTS: International Coalition of Tourism
Partners, Juergen Thomas Steinmetz, Chairman, Phone:
+1-808-566-9900, jts@ictp.travel ;
Geoffrey Lipman, President, gl@ictp.travel ;
Marie-Julie Chaput, Membership Liaison, mjc@ictp.travel Egypt
Contacts: How to Get There
 The
best way to see Egypt is to take an organized tour
from North America or Europe. There a good number
of companies offering these excursions. No matter
what one pays to take these tours, it will be much
less troublesome and cheaper to join a group before
travelling to that country.
If one does
not join a tour group, Misr Travel in Egypt, 1
Talaat Harb St., P.O. Box 1000, Cairo, Tel:
20-2-392-3177, Fax: 20-2-392-4440, e-mail
Misrtrav@link.com.eg will make arrangements for
tours to any part of the country. Also, there are
excellent river, air, bus and rail connections
between Cairo and Luxor.
 Facts
to Know About Egypt:
1)
Visas are needed to enter Egypt. Tour companies can
easily obtain them, but they are available at the
airports in Egypt - cost $15.
2)
The best place to exchange foreign currency is in
banks. Branches are found in all major hotels. The
U.S. dollar hovers around 3.80 LE (Egyptian
pounds).
3)
Despite reports of Islamic fundamentalist
terrorism, Egyptians are very friendly and
hospitable to tourists. The country is very safe -
safer than most countries in the West. Also, in
spite of poverty, crime is rare.
4)
To get around the cities, taxis are the best bet,
but you must bargain - make sure of the price
before you enter the cab. Small autos rent for
around $40. per day, but renting a car is not
recommended. Traffic does not seem to have any
rules.
A
Good Places to Stay in Aswan:
Hotel
Sofitel Old Cataract, an excellent luxury hotel
which is reasonably priced. Abtal El Tahrir St.,
Aswan, Egypt. Tel:(+20)97/3l6000.
Fax:(+20)97/316011. Daily cost for a room from a
$130. to $160., depending on location. Also, hotels
in Egypt charge an extra 26% for taxes and services
charges.
Note:
All prices quoted are in U.S. dollars
For
Further Information Contact:
Egyptian
Tourist Authority, 1253 McGill College Ave.,
Suite 250, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 2Y5. Tel:
(514)861-4606. Fax: (514)861-8071.
or
Egyptian
Tourist Authority, 630 Fifth Ave., Suite 1706,
New York, NY 10111, U.S.A.
Tel:
(212)332-2570. Fax: (212)956-6439.
Web site:
http://www.egypttourism.org
 Muguette
Goufrani,
Africa Travel Magazine's Francophone Editor covers
West African destinations and events in detail. Her
native language is French and she has lived in five
West African countries, working for Air Afrique,
Royal Air Maroc and Citroen. As a Travel Agent, she
worked in North Africa, where her family operates
an inbound tour company, and later in Tahiti and
Cambodia. Muguette has been a partner in the
magazine since it was founded in 1995.
E-mail
Muguette
with
your travel experiences in Cote d'Ivoire and other
West African destinations. We welcome your
input.
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