Egypt's tourism sector is undergoing a significant transformation, with a focus on digitalization and high-end tourism. According to Nader El-Bablawi, head of the Egyptian Tourism and Travel Companies and Agencies Chamber, digitalization has become an essential element in developing tourism products. This shift began with tourists planning their trips from home, choosing destinations, and selecting programs, to their return after visiting.
El-Bablawi emphasized that Egypt has diverse tourism attractions, allowing for the creation of various new products and programs. He noted that Egypt's resources enable it to attract different types of tourism, including wedding tourism, which several countries have chosen as a destination due to its unique sites and attractions. He also highlighted the importance of human resources in providing quality services and experiences for tourists.
The country is gradually moving from offering low-cost tourism products to focusing on high-end tourism, leveraging its resources to provide high-value experiences. El-Bablawi stated that digitalization is now part of the tourism product itself, from trip planning to execution. While some steps have been taken, challenges persist that require more time to address.
Egypt has implemented an electronic visa system and digital services allowing tourists to book tickets to visit historical and tourist sites before arrival. These services enhance the tourist experience and make it more organized. However, some projects and services still need time to develop, such as improving transportation and services within tourist destinations.
El-Bablawi pointed out that the sudden imposition of new fees poses a challenge to the tourism sector. He stressed the importance of prior coordination and studying the impact of any new fees before implementation. The imposition of new fees after tourist contracts have been signed can lead to increased costs for tourism companies.
The head of the Egyptian Tourism and Travel Companies and Agencies Chamber highlighted that one of the main obstacles faced by tourism companies is the imposition of new fees after contracts with tourists and tour organizers have been signed. This uncertainty can lead to increased costs for companies, which may have already fixed prices for their programs.
El-Bablawi concluded that the tourist experience is a crucial element in evaluating the tourism product. He emphasized the need to develop a comprehensive tourist experience, from planning to the end of the visit, to provide a complete experience that meets the aspirations of tourists and foreign markets. The goal is to understand how foreign markets perceive Egypt's tourism product and evaluate the experience of tourists in Egypt.
Key points
- Egypt is shifting its focus from low-cost tourism to luxury tourism.
- The country is investing in digitalization to enhance the tourist experience.
- The tourism sector is seeking discussion on new fees to avoid unexpected costs.
