(TAN): The Egyptian economy could face daily losses of more than EGP 31 million (USD 1.9 million) if it stays on the UK’s travel ‘red list’, according to research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Based on 2019 levels, Egypt’s status as a UK’s ‘red list’ country will pose a significant threat to the nation’s struggling Travel & Tourism sector and overall economy, warns WTTC. According to pre-pandemic figures, UK visitors represented 5% of all international inbound arrivals in 2019. The UK was also the third biggest source market for Egypt, only just behind Germany and Saudi Arabia.
However, WTTC research shows that ‘red list’ restrictions are deterring UK travellers from visiting Egypt.
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The global tourism body says this is due to fears over the additional costs incurred on expensive hotel quarantine for 10 days on arrival back in the UK, and expensive Covid-19 tests.
Egypt’s economy could face a drain of more than EGP 237 million each week, equating to more than EGP 1 billion every month.
Virginia Messina, senior vice president and Acting CEO WTTC, said: “Every day Egypt stays on the UK’s ‘red list’, the country’s economy faces losing millions just from the lack of UK visitors alone. This policy is incredibly restrictive and damaging as travellers from Egypt also face mandatory hotel quarantine at a huge cost. The UK’s government decision to add Egypt to its ‘red list’ has a massive impact not only on the nation’s economy, but also the many thousands of ordinary Egyptians who rely upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector for their livelihoods.”
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WTTC research shows the dramatic impact Covid-19 has had on the Egyptian Travel & Tourism sector, with its contribution to the national GDP falling from EGP 505 billion (8.8%) in 2019, to just EGP 227.5 billion (3.8%) in 2020.
The report also shows in 2020, as the pandemic ripped through the heart of the sector, 844,000 Travel & Tourism jobs were lost across the country.
