political crisis, Egypt has set aside $40 million yearly to internationally market its resilient tourism industry which contributes about 6 percent of its GDP.

Since January 2012, the Ministry of Tourism has spent $10 million to drive publicity for the industry within the historic country, though the recent tensions and socio-political volatility  aggravated by Morsi’s ouster have forced the Ministry to stop the release of fresh campaigns till the end of the year.

According to Daily News Egypt, newly elected tourism minister Hisham Zaazou had disclosed that the Ministry plans to attract 13.8 million tourists by the end of 2013, but lamented that meeting the target has become increasingly difficult since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Morsi in July.

In the month, Egypt witnessed a 24.5 percent year-on-year decline in tourism, with primary indicators increasing to 75 percent in August, according to report.

To rebound, Zaazou pledged in a strategic meeting with officials of UK-based holiday charter airline Thomas Cook, and Discover Egypt, that the Ministry would assist foreign organizations with their Egypt tourism marketing campaigns.

“We are studying the directives of Zaazou to support international companies with their marketing campaigns for Egyptian tourism, in addition to asking the Minister of Civil Aviation to decrease take off and landing fees at airports used for tourism,” said an official of General Authority to Stimulate Tourism.

The annual $40 million international marketing budget is funded by the private sector-created Tourism Fund.

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