Interesting look at the impacts that low-cost tourism is having on Egypt and on the Egyptian experience:
Many no doubt think it is only right that anyone and everyone can have the holidays that used to be reserved for a select few, but I disagree. If that makes me elitist, so be it. But consider what effect these low prices are having on Egypt and the Egyptians.
The desire for more tourists has led to an explosion in the number of boats cruising the Nile – there are now so many in fact, that invariably they are moored four, five or even eight boats deep (imagine what that does to your Nile view when you are tied up at night) – which in turn has pushed prices right down as tour operators try to fill them.
And these are not the delightful Death on the Nile-style boats with outside cabins that used to ply these waters – the style of boat I first cruised the Nile on in 1989 - but rather floating bricks with as much aesthetic charm as a fully-laden cargo ship.
Millions of tourists are traipsing around sights for which they have no interest and little respect. . . .In Egypt there are opposing views on the situation. The government wants more tourism because it brings money to the country but the tourist office wants to raise the quality of what is on offer so Egypt can shrug off its cheap image and encourage higher-spending visitors.
See the above for the full story.
3 comments:
Nile Cruises...Andy, I just came across your post regarding the number of Nile Cruisers actually travelling each week up and down the Nile and can only agree with the writer. We sell a large number of Nile Cruises each week, as it truly seems to appear on most travellers "travel wish list". We do go to great pains to let our clients know that there will be large amounts of time when they will be moored ashore and could be one of 4 or 5 vessels side by side so any views could well be into the cabin of the next vessel.
However, even with these inconveniences I still tell clients that their Nile Cruise, coupled with their daily excursions to the sites, temples and points of interest will still add up to a magical travel experience.
Colin
Hello Colin
I agree with you. My first visit to Egypt was on a Nile cruise in the 1990s, and it was really terrific. I know that Nile traffic has increased since then, but as long as people don't have unrealistic expectations there is no reason why they can't have a really good time.
Of course, the Egyptian government has decisions of its own to make about how to manage the impact of tourism on their heritage, and this may eventually see a decline in river traffic. It will be interesting to see!
Thanks for getting in touch
Andie
Hi Andie,
Your site is a real mine of information! Do you have a RSS feed or subscribe button as I would love to stay up-to-date with what's on your site?
Colin
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