Egypt's Civil Aviation Minister, Dr. Samah El-Hafnawy, emphasized the importance of integration between the aviation and tourism sectors to boost incoming tourism. He stated that the ministry is working to support new tourist destinations, expand the role of the private sector, and adopt digital transformation and modern technologies in airports. This was during his speech at the first session of the "Al-Ahram Forum for Egyptian Tourism", which discussed ways to enhance the competitiveness of Egypt's tourism destination.
Dr. El-Hafnawy highlighted that air transport is a vital component of tourism, as incoming tourists rely heavily on air transport to reach their destination. He stressed that airports and airlines are essential pillars in the tourism industry. The minister also mentioned that the ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to support the operation of new airports and various tourist destinations, including El-Alamein Airport and city.
The minister discussed the importance of diversifying products and flights to meet the needs of tourism. He also emphasized the need to link beach tourism with cultural and archaeological tourism. Additionally, he mentioned providing packages of regular, seasonal, and occasional flights to serve different destinations. Dr. El-Hafnawy also highlighted the role of the private sector in the aviation industry, noting that national private airlines now account for around 50% of air traffic.
Dr. El-Hafnawy stated that there is a trend to involve the private sector in managing, operating, and developing airports. He noted that this aligns with the state's policy of enhancing the role of the private sector and improving service levels. The minister also discussed the file of digital transformation, emphasizing the need to reduce paperwork in airports, including paper entry cards.
The minister mentioned that the ministry is working to expand the use of e-visas and free transit visas. This allows some travelers to benefit from stopovers of between 6 and 96 hours to visit various tourist attractions. He also highlighted the activation of smart applications and virtual assistants in airports to improve the travel experience.
Dr. El-Hafnawy noted that the ministry is developing a system of prior passenger data, which allows concerned parties, including security, customs, and tourism, to access passenger data in advance. This helps to accelerate inspection and crossing procedures upon arrival. He also mentioned the gradual preparation of the necessary infrastructure to activate electronic gates and biometric systems.
The new measures aim to improve the travel experience and increase tourism to Egypt. The minister's announcement is part of the government's efforts to boost the tourism industry. Three key points from the minister's announcement are: reducing paperwork in airports, expanding the use of e-visas and free transit visas, and involving the private sector in airport management and development.
Key points
- Reducing paperwork in airports
- Expanding the use of e-visas and free transit visas
- Involving the private sector in airport management and development
