Egypt is a country where 20% of the population live below the poverty line. It has a high birth rate, rising inflation and chronic unemployment, but the travel and tourism industry is a bright spot and a major contributor to the Egyptian economy. According to the WTTC, the travel and tourism sector creates direct and indirect jobs for well over 1.5 million people and in 2007, it generated 16.3% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Egypt might have its social and economic and problems, but its appeal to travellers is eternal. Unfortunately, it has been the victim of sporadic terrorist attacks, but this has not proved to be a deterrent to inbound travel. Egypt continues to draw international tourists in ever-increasing numbers and in 2007, the country registered 11 million arrivals – up from just over 6 million in 2003.

The jump in arrivals is attributed to a variety of factors – new tourism products, effective media campaigns and a greater number of tourists coming from the emerging markets in Russia, Eastern and Central Europe, as well as an increase in the number of tourists from other countries in the Middle East. In 2006, however, the UK was the biggest source market, with just over 1 million arrivals (followed closely by Russia).