Egypt shifts focus to Hurghada as Brits return

The Egyptian State Tourist Authority has revealed 61,481 Brits travelled to Egypt in the first two months of 2018, an increase of almost 40 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The latest figures reflect the broader upward trend for the destination over the past year, with 319,388 UK citizens travelling to Egypt in 2017, an increase of 38 per cent.

Visitation across all inbound markets rose by 53 per cent year-on-year as the destination continues to battle back from an historically touch period.

This rise is also credited to the increased frequency of airlift to Egypt, with weekly flights from UK departure points growing 38 per cent from a total of eighteen, to twenty-five this summer. 

Coinciding with a targeted campaign promoting the multitude of other popular locations Egypt has to offer, travellers seeking a true winter-sun getaway have discovered the Red Sea coastal town of Hurghada, a state-of-the-art beach destination catering to sun and sea seekers, with bustling markets and buzzing nightlife alongside world-class resorts and unique diving experiences.

The shift in focus to Hurghada comes after the Egyptian government failed to persuade the UK government to reinstate flights to Sharm El Sheikh.

The UK was among countries that suspended flights to Sharm El Sheikh in October 2015 following the crash of a Russian Metrojet aircraft shortly after take-off from the resort’s airport.

That ban remains in place.

While the Red Sea has boomed, the Nile city of Luxor has also remained a key destination for UK travellers.

With developments such as the opening of Africa’s first Waldorf Astoria, Egypt’s first St. Regis property in 2019 and the highly-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum’s initial opening at the end of this year, indications are that tourism to Egypt is to continue to rise as confidence in the North African region continues to rebuild.