2024 ITB BERLIN NEWS - REVIEW Edition

I SEEN @ ITB BERLIN 2024 I
Egypt's timeless tourism offers were
proudly on display at ITB Berlin 2024
Egypt experienced a significant increase in tourism in 2023,
welcoming 15 million visitors, up by 4.9 million compared
to 2021. Tourism is not a new trend in Egypt, however, as
tourists started visiting the country over 5,000 years ago.
And still, the list of treasures keeps growing. Recently an
impressive statue of Ramses II was unearthed, ancient
tombs discovered, new mummies brought to light, and
an incredible 2,500-year-old funerary tunnel revealed. It is
no surprise then that Egypt is one of Lonely Planet's Best
Destination affordable choices for 2024.
European tourists. The Citadel of
Saladin in Cairo, built in 1173, has also
been extensively revamped. Countless
other architectural gems, including
domes, minarets and a 12th century
synagogue have been restored while
the tourist infrastructure has been
improved and extended. There is a
new 4.7 km walkway along the Nile
and exciting developments in hotels
and resorts. Old Cairo is being restored
and pedestrian zones established.
Egypt projects to welcome 30 million
visitors by 2028 with room capacities
in hotel due to rise from 30,000 to
60,000 within the next 5 years
The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to
fully open in late spring of 2024, with
some areas already open, including
"Tutankhamun – The Immersive
Exhibition", a 360° spectacle.
According to the destination, it will
be the largst museum dedicated to a
single civilisation. Nearby, a new visitor
centre is due to open in a few weeks
within the forthcoming transformation
at the Pyramids of Giza.
Cairo also is undergoing an
ambitious programme of restoration
and development that will make it
an attractive city break option for
Oman's Sur named
Capital of Arab Tourism
2024
The Wilayat of Sur was selected at the end of last year
as Arab tourism capital for 2024 thanks to its diversity of
tourist activities.
© Ministry of Heritage & Tourism Sultanate of Oman
At the round table press event at
Oman's stand on the first day of
ITB Berlin, H.E. Azzan bin Qassim
Al Busaidi, the Undersecretary
of Tourism at Oman's Ministry of
Heritage and Tourism, shared some of
Sur's outstanding attractions.
The Undersecretary presented the
wealth of events that are being
prepared to celebrate the selection of
Sur at the Arab Ministerial Council for
Tourism last December and outlined
several of the unique activities the city
on the Eastern coast of Oman has to
offer.
Active and eco-conscious tourists will
find a long list of things to see and
do in Sur, said Azzan bin Qassim Al
Busaidi, citing examples such as Majlis
al-Jinn, the largest cave in Oman and
"ideal for adventure enthusiasts," as
well as the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
where no less than five turtle species
lay their eggs.
A seaside city, Sur has a long maritime
tradition. "Sur is embraced by the
sea and has a very rich seafaring
history," said Al Busaidi. Activities
such as traditional ship building are
on offer and the Undersecretary
also mentioned the city's impressive
Maritime Heritage Museum.
Apart from Sur, Al Busaidi also
spotlighted another unique spot at the
round table event, Salalah, which is
touched by the special phenomenon
that effects the south of Oman from
June to September: Khareef, or the
monsoon season. Thanks to its
considerable rainfall, Salalah, the
Sultanate's third largest city, becomes
verdant and cool. "The entire place
transforms from brown to green. And
for three months, it becomes one
of the leading destinations for the
region," affirmed the Undersecretary
20 ITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 14 TH MARCH 2024 news.itb.com