How long have you been in India and what has been your overall experience?
I have been in India for the past 4 months. During this time, I have acquired information about the Indian market and the outbound movement, especially regarding the requirements of the Indian traveller. I am also searching for more effective media which can be used to create greater awareness about Egypt in the Indian market.

What is your role as the Director of the Egyptian Tourism Authority and how do you plan to create awareness especially in smaller metro cities which is seeing a surge in outbound travel?
Firstly, we plan to participate in all major travel fairs across India. We also plan to network with various Travel Agents and Tour Operators as well as with various airlines which fly into Egypt.

Most Indians are aware of Egypt as a country especially for its ancient Egyptian history. What most people are unaware of is the modern Egypt - the new attractions in Egypt. Egypt is not just about Pyramids, the Sphinx, the great temples, Luxor and Aswan. Egypt has much more to offer to the Indian traveller as well as travellers from all countries across the globe. We have several attractions in Egypt from the cultural perspective as well as for those interested in shopping and entertainment.

Our office will not only cater to the travel agents and tour operators but also the end consumer, i.e. the one who wants to travel to Egypt. Shopping in Egypt is a major attraction especially for the handicrafts and clothing. Egypt also has many golf courses. A visitor can download all the information he needs to know before coming to Egypt from our website. To encourage tourism even during times of recession, we plan to make more consistent efforts in promotional activities as well as cooperation with tour operators. We will focus on creating a presence in all important cities as well as at travel events.

Egypt is known for the Pyramids and the Nile cruise. What are the other famous icons of Egypt and which are the varied experiences one can enjoy in Egypt ? Which are the new destinations that you would be promoting in India for the outbound traveller?

Egypt is renowned for its Spa and Wellness facilities. We also have a strong focus on Eco-Tourism wherein we encourage promotion of eco-friendly hotels and conservation of protected areas. Beyond the standard circuits, we also want to encourage tourism to Marsa Alam and the Red Sea area, as well as the North coast and Oasis.

What are the best times for Indian travellers to visit Egypt?
Egypt has four seasons - the high season starts from the beginning of October and extends until the end of April. This is the high season especially for Europeans and we have tourists coming in from Italy, Germany, France, England and across Europe. During this time 65% of the traffic is from European countries. From July until the beginning of September is the summer time when we have the people from the Middle East visiting Egypt. I recommend the Indian travellers to visit Egypt between October and April. Throughout the year however, you can visit places like Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm-El-Sheikh where you can enjoy a good vacation. In Egypt we have over 2000 kilometres of coastline with virgin beaches and good places for diving, water sports with crystal clear water, beautiful marine life with colourful fishes. For lovers of water sports, marine life and beaches, Egypt is a must- visit destination.

What similarities do you find between people of India and Egypt?
Just like India, Egypt is extremely safe as a destination. You can walk on the streets any time of the day . Like the Indian people, the Egyptians too are very friendly and hospitable. The Indians will feel at home in Egypt as you find Indian food as well. The Egyptian food as well is quite similar to Indian cuisine. However, Indian food tends to be more spicy than Egyptian food. And of course, both India and Egypt are renowned for their cultural and historical contributions to the society. There have been very good relationships between Egyptians and Indians since a very long time - from the days of Nasser and Nehru. I am sure Indians visiting Egypt will have a wonderful experience about our country, culture, history and will want to visit our country more than once to discover the various facets of Egypt. Also, Bollywood movies are very popular in Egypt. Most Egyptians like Indian movies especially the ones with Amitabh Bachchan as well as the songs. And through Bollywood, the Indian audience is made aware about various destinations. We would be glad to welcome Indian film producers to make movies in Egypt. We have a Media City in Egypt which is a very big city with several facilities to make movies and we have many attractions which would appeal to the film audiences.

What are your suggestions in terms of experiences that one can enjoy in Egypt for: a) honeymooners b) families c) senior citizens d) cultural travellers e) students
For honeymooners, the best options would be Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Marsa Alam or a 4-day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor. The traditional tours - such as Cairo, Alexandria, Nile Cruise and a stay at a beach resort on the Red Sea - would be most suitable for families. These same circuits would be appropriate for Senior Citizens. For cultural travellers and students, there is the classic Egypt itinerary which includes the antique bazaars, museums, ancient temples and of course the icons of Egyptian civilization – the Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Lastly, your message to readers and why they should include Egypt in their future travel plans:
Egypt is very suitable to Indians as everything is offered as per Indian expectations – especially food. You will be amazed by the affection and hospitality of Egyptians towards their guests. Whether it is Cairo, the Nile Cruise or resorts along the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, you will have a complete holiday experience in Egypt.

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