why won't americans visit egypt anymore?

Question

I have just returned from Egypt and have to say, the country was beautiful and the people friendly, helpful and, as I am six months pregnant, treated me like a princess!!!! At no time did i feel threatened, in danger or unsafe. the counrty is desperate to get their tourist market up and running again and i wonder why no-one goes there from America anymore? Come on people, u are missing out on a wonderful place. don't let 9/11 effect your life forever, u have to stand up and fight against it and not let it stop u doing things. Here in england we have been used to bombing as terriorists for years, we will not let it stop us doing anything!!!

I didn't actually quote any statistics, just going by what several working guides, who experience tourists first hand, told me!

Answer 1

I am Australian and work in the Egyptian tourist industry with Australian clients.
We stay at many of the same hotels etc. as American tourists, and I have got to know many tour reps. and their staff.
From what I have heard and seen over the last few years there has been no change in the number of Americans visiting.
The ahead bookings are better than last years figures and less advertising was done.
The Egyptian tourist industry has not really had a slump at all.
It is its general economy that needs assistance.
But that will require a government change.
Most people got over the "I'm not going anywhere by plane " feeling after 12mths.If they had it!
Egypt is known in all western countries as a moderate Islamic country.Also the tourist industry is aware it has a very high level of security and protection for its visitors.
I think like Australians after the Bali bombing,there was an initial fear of travel,in general.
Even the U.K.experienced it,in the amount of outward travel.
But the Australians are back at Bali in their 10,000s.While there is still a terrorism alert on the government web site.
There hasn't been a warning on the site for 2yrs regarding Egypt, and even then it was low grade and isolated.
It is more to do with the time of the year you chose to go there.
It is much more expensive for U.S. and Australian visitors to fly there.So there will always be more Europeans and British visitors.
From June till October you would see a different picture regarding American tourists even with the high air fares.
Have no fears, the Egyptian tourist industry is alive and well and prospering,and it will continue to do so.Inshallah.

Answer 2

To be honest with you, it is not about the attitude of the tourists, it's about what the Egyptian government needs to do regarding tourism.
Here in Egypt, tourism is a main source of national income. We need tourism so much, but there is so little that the government is doing to encourage people to come again.
We don't have a problem with people coming for the first time. The problem is that the majority of the people who come, don't wanna come again. Those who like it and say that they are willing to repeat the visit , are nice people who don't care about small things. But not everybody is like that. There are lots of people who get annoyed by small things and don't want to come again.
They hate the hassles, the bad treatment, sometimes the over-charged prices and many more things that are known to anyone. The problem is that the government is too lazy to do anything about it. They can simply make the tourism business official, meaning that it should be in the hands of the public sector where professional level of service is provided.
You maybe right in your conclusion that Americans are not willing to come. But I as an Egyptian am more interested in knowing that our government is doing its best to ensure the satisfaction of the tourists . And after we have done our best, we can wonder why the tourists don't come.

Answer 3

Hahaha lol i know loads of Americans on yahoo answers that are always asking if Egypt is safe or not because they want to go but they are curious if Egypt is safe enough. Yes there will always be those that will find it hard to get over 9/11 and visit places in the East, but for some people this heartbreak takes some time to heal. I agree though Egypt is a life time experience you can't miss.

God bless..x

Answer 4

It's not that Americans fear going to Egypt. The Middle East has never really been a hotspot for American tourists. Britains are a tad closer to that area also.

With costs of air travel, fuel and hotels, it is practically impossible to get enough money together to travel as it once was. More Americans are staying home with family, or traveling locally.

Nothing against Egypt, per se. It's just a tough time to travel.

Send us a post card!

Answer 5

Sorry Lily but You INFO is not right !!!!!

according to new statistics released by the Egyptian Tourism Egypt has continued to experience double-digit growth, over 2005, from American tourists, the Egyptian Tourism Authority reported today. In 2006, 98,388 Americans have visited Egypt, an extraordinary increase of 20.9 percent over last year’s 81,398 for the same period.”

**See the below pages

Waiting for you : ) Best of luck

Answer 6

We have an idiot in charge of the country and he is making us unwelcome in many parts of the world. I'm glad you had a good time. I don't think Egypt would be my destination of choice anyway. I think I'd rather go up to Canada or Africa to Hunt if I was going to leave the country on vacation.

Answer 7

I agree that people should never miss a chance to see a country like Egypt. It is a great place.

Some Americans here in this -Travel category- are asking questions about Egypt (visa, tickets, expenses...etc)
Others, they do not want to risk their life going to the Middle East.
You have two different point-of-views when it comes to travelling to the Middle East.
Some Americans, they just careful when it comes to travelling.

I still see many questions about travelling to Lebanon & Israel!!
& I think travelling to these two countries is chancy, but some people are ok with it.

It is not about Americans. It is about some individual’s character.

Answer 8

I personally would love to visit Egypt. I won't let anything keep me from living my life. Especially not fear! I was on a plane less than a year after 9/11 going to California from Tennessee and the following year,I was going to Japan.I'm not saying I wasn't afraid..I'm saying I wouldn't let it control me. I think that advertising would help in Egypt's tourism market.I wouldn't have thought of Egypt as a vacation prospect until I read your question.Not that it's not exotic enough but that it's not something"put out" there to think about traveling to.Glad you had fun and I respect your spirit.

Answer 9

I'm an American, and I'm headed to Egypt for a 17-day adventure starting March 1st. I've been lots of places in the world post-9/11 that I never got to see pre-9/11.

I think your characterization is a bit off.

Answer 10

I was born and raised in egypt, but i live in the U.S now..but i must say Egypt is a safe place to be, at least for me..i never felt any kind of harm..and you are right it is such a beautiful place to visit.. and i hope people lose that thought in their heads..that Egypt is a country filled with terriosts or anything such..stop watching TV and following the MEDIA.. and follow your thoughts and judge things as u know them..not as you were told they were...