Japan cancels warning on traveling to Middle East, resumes flights to Egypt

The Chief of the Japanese travel agents union announced the cancellation of a Japanese foreign ministry warning on visiting the region.

He added that he urged for the cancellation of the warning because of the stability and security enjoyed by Egypt.

In a press conference late Monday marking conclusion of the Egyptian-Japanese forum, tourism minister Mamdouh El-Beltagui said the form recommended including Japanese tourists in an Egyptian decision to allow access of European tourists without prior visas. The forum asserted that Egypt enjoys security and stability.

Egypt Air said it intends to increase direct flights to Japan to three flights a week as well as two indirect flights, said Beltagui.

He added that Japanese airliners reaffirmed determination to re-operate their flights to Cairo.

The forum stressed the importance of providing fresh tourist programs to attract more Japanese tourists including honeymoon vacations, golf and diving as well as other low-price school student programmes.

The Japanese government invited Beltagui to visit Japan in May.

Egyptian businessmen invited Japanese counterparts to capitalize on the current investment incentives in Egypt.

The Japanese ambassador in Cairo Takaya Suto said that number of tourists coming to Egypt could be doubled as Japanese care a lot about the Egyptian civilization and culture.

He added that they also wanted to receive the highest level of service.

Beltagui had opened the forum earlier Monday with the participation of the Japanese ambassador, the travel agents union chief, representatives of the Japanese tourism sector, media representatives, Egyptian and Japanese pressmen.