Essa points to aspiring tourism sector growth plan

Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Essa, said Friday he was happy to participate in the seminar 'Egypt … Dawn of Conscience', organized by the Centre for Middle East Studies in Paris (CEMO).

He underscored the importance of the issues addressed by the seminar for the Egyptian economy, especially the tourism sector.

Held at the ancient French Le Creon hotel, which overlooks an ancient Egyptian obelisk, the seminar is organized on the margins of the opening of the Ramses II Exhibition at the Grand Halle de la Villette. The exhibition will last for five months.

Attending the event is a host of dignitaries, including Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Essa, leading Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass, and Egypt's Ambassador to France, Alaa Youssef.

A host of chief editors of French newspapers attend the seminar, along with several French MPs, senior politicians and Egyptologists.

"I am proud of French interest in the exhibition," the Egyptian minister said.

He added that the exhibition organizers expect a record number of people to visit it.

"Thank you for this interest in the history of my country, which witnessed the dawn of humanity or the dawn of conscience, as you call it in this seminar," Minister Essa said.

He said he and his colleagues at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities work to give Egypt what it deserves.

However, at this moment, he said, the tourism industry is below Egypt's potential.

He revealed that 12 million tourists visited Egypt last year, a figure much lower than the value and the size of Egyptian antiquities.

"We work with the private sector to raise the tourism sector's growth by 25-30%, in the light of a strong regulatory environment, through which the private sector can provide a distinguished service," the minister said.

"We can protect tourists and provide a distinguished service to them," he added.

He noted that his ministry had developed a plan for these goals, the most important of which is the development of the aviation industry.

"Almost 90% of incoming tourists reach our country by air," the minister said.