New Governor to Luxor pledges support for improved infrustructure.
Holidays to ?classic Egypt? including Nile cruises and Cairo are up and running again after the FCO lifted its long-standing advice against all but essential travel to most of Egypt.
Tarek Saaad El din, the new Governor of Luxor is very positive for the future of Upper Egypt and its exceptional tourist product. During a meeting with specialist Discover Egypt, he outlined some immediate intiatives:
? Promoting Luxor by emphasising its diversity
? Improving the towns sewage system
? Pavements being rebuilt in both directions of the town, cleaning of streets
? Installing 150 additional security cameras to safeguard artefacts and visitors
? Introducing private docking stations for cruises
? El - Tod resort to be created with many activities
? Moderen parking for caleche and cars
? Looking at improving the economy, allowing industry to be developed and improving agriculture
? Study and research groups with workshops and forum to look at ways of improving the tourist infrastucture in the long term
? Twinning Luxor with other towns
? Overseas residents in Luxor have formed a Committee to solve their daily issues and look at infrustructure improvements they see will improve those from abroad living in Luxor
? Economic Forum to look at development for all of Upper Egypt and Investment Banks to consider development projects which will improve the tourist infrustructure in Upper Egypt for Egyptians and visitors alike, creating job and bringing prosperity to the area
Nile cruise specialist Discover Egypt (0844 880 0462, www.discoveregypt.co.uk) is commencing Nile cruises on December 2 and 9 with prices for 7 nights including flights, transfers and full board cruise with 10 guided excursions from ?799 per person on board the 5-star Viking Princess and ?999 per person on the 5-star Royal Viking.
Flights operate on Mondays from Heathrow and Tuesday from Manchester on scheduled EgyptAir with no flight supplements and additionally there are no single supplements for the cruises. A second week staying in a hotel in Luxor has prices starting from ?149 or ?299 for an all-inclusive hotel stay on the Red Sea Riviera. Discover Egypt currently operates two Nile cruises the Viking Princess and Royal Viking with Alexander the Great also commencing its cruises on December 23.
Special offer for departures on 2, 3, 9 and 10 December is an upgrade from the Viking Princess to the Royal Viking, a saving of ?200 per person.
Philip Breckner said: ?There has never been a better time to travel to Egypt to enjoy what this diverse and culturally rich counyry has to offer in terms of history, archaeaology and perfect winter sun weather. It will take time to rebuild consumer confidence and yet we?ve already finalised travel arrangements for those who had been impatiently waiting for the FCO advice to be lifted. We are supported by a great team in resort and the Egyptian Tourist Office here in UK and the Ministry of Tourism in Egypt. With good co-operartion we can ensure that the positive messages are distributed and that travellers can return to enjoy Egypt, especially classical Egypt.?
