3.2 billion dollar in Egyptian tourism in last year

Egyptian Minister of Tourism Mamdouh El-Beltagi said yesterday in concluding works of the Arab economics conference that "the tourism income reached $ 3.2 billion during the financial year 98/99."

He pointed out that this provides the tourism industry nearly 1.5 million jobs employed in travel agencies, tourism transportation, in tourism villages and hotels management and guidance.

El-Beltagi added "the private sector invested 35 billion pounds in tourism projects among which are 25% foreign investments during the last years."

El-Beltagi expected an increase in tourism to Egypt to 5.2 million by the end of the year 2000 while this year reached 4 million tourists as well as referring to the existence of intensive promotional campaigns in the coming period to increase tourism flow to Egypt.