December tourism better than last year, worst since May

Government statistics show mixed results for tourism in December 2014, with arrival numbers up compared to December 2013, but still the lowest in six months.

December, which falls in the peak winter season and includes the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, is traditionally one of Egypt’s busiest months for both beach and cultural tourism.

According to government statistics agency CAPMAS, 781,602 tourists visited Egypt in December 2014, up 15.3 percent compared to December 2013, when around 677,650 arrived.

However, the figures showed a month-on-month decline of almost 13 percent, compared to November arrivals, which exceeded 898,000.

December figures were the lowest reported since May, highlighting the fragility of a recent recovery for Egypt’s tourist industry.

Arrival numbers have shown positive year-on-year growth since July 2014, turning around a slump that began in July 2013, when former President Mohammed Morsi was overthrown.

The political violence in the period that followed the military-backed interim government’s rise to power frightened away tourists, while unrest in Sinai prompted many foreign governments to issue warnings and restrictions against travel in the country.

Starting in July 2014, many of those restrictions were eased, and arrival numbers bounced back, although still staying below 2012 levels.

Arrival numbers stayed strong even as the military stepped up its campaign against militants in Sinai in September. In October, arrivals exceeded one million for the first time since April 2013.

Industry experts began sounding the alarm in December, reporting a decline in tourists due to the crash of the Russian ruble against the dollar. With Egyptian prices pegged to the dollar, Russians found themselves priced out of formerly budget holidays.

The figures released Wednesday by CAPMAS appear to bear out those fears.

Since December, the Egyptian government has taken steps to court Russian tourists, temporarily exempting them from visa fees and agreeing to allow Russians to pay for holiday packages in rubles rather than dollars.