Egyptian Officials Make Local Inspection Tours to Reassure Tourists

A man wearing a face mask is seen in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza after reopening for tourist visits, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt (Reuters)
A man wearing a face mask is seen in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza after reopening for tourist visits, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt (Reuters)
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Egyptian Officials Make Local Inspection Tours to Reassure Tourists

A man wearing a face mask is seen in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza after reopening for tourist visits, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt (Reuters)
A man wearing a face mask is seen in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza after reopening for tourist visits, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt (Reuters)

Egyptian ministers toured various resorts and airports in the country that began receiving visitors earlier this month while maintaining health measures to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

The government aims to reassure tourists arriving to Egypt over the health situation and the measures taken to contain the pandemic.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Khaled Anani and Minister of Civil Aviation Mohamed Manar met with investors in Taba and Nuweiba to discuss proposals to overcome obstacles facing tourism investors in both cities.

Anani stressed that the government spared no effort to promote the tourism sector, considering it a pillar of the national income. He indicated that flights will be resumed in Taba Airport, provided that investors contribute to these flights until tourism returns to its normal levels.

The minister visited Taba and Sharm el-Sheikh airports and inspected the departure and arrival halls, the thermal camera system, and measures for maintaining social distance at the airport.

Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport received more than 3,000 tourists aboard 16 flights from Ukraine and Belarus, since the beginning of July.

Taba Airport is preparing to receive tourists with the first flight arriving from Poland on July 29.

Anani also inspected a number of hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab and Nuweiba to ensure that health measures are being followed, as instructed by the Ministry.

The Ministry issued an official statement indicating that the occupancy rate of Dahab reached about 45 percent, most of which are Egyptian visitors. The city has 28 hotels with an occupational capacity of 2,326 hotel rooms, as well as 110 tourist bazaars.

Whereas Nuweiba has 14 hotels, with a capacity of 1,643 rooms, and seven bazaars.

The Minister also reviewed health precautionary measures followed by the hotel upon the guest’s arrival.

He also monitored the procedures on the reception desk and foyer area, as well as all parts of the hotel including the restaurant, kitchen area, swimming pools, and the beach area.



Virgin Atlantic Launches Direct Flights Linking Europe, the US, and Saudi Arabia

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Virgin Atlantic Launches Direct Flights Linking Europe, the US, and Saudi Arabia

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has welcomed the inaugural flight of British airline Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow, marking a major milestone in the airline’s expansion into the Saudi market.

The new daily service aims to connect travelers from Europe and the US to Saudi Arabia, amid projections of a 24% increase in air connectivity between the Kingdom and the UK by 2035.

Saudi Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority Ahmed Al Khateeb described the launch as a significant step in reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.

He stressed that the strategic partnership with the Virgin Group would help attract more visitors from the UK and beyond, eager to explore Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and unique experiences.

In 2024, the Kingdom welcomed over 128 million air travelers, a 15% year-on-year increase, and views the UK as one of its most vital target markets.

Speaking at a press conference in Diriyah, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson expressed his enthusiasm for the airline’s entry into Saudi Arabia.

He praised the Kingdom’s rapid development, citing tourism projects on the Red Sea, golf courses, luxury hotels, and new entertainment cities as key attractions.

Branson revealed that Virgin Atlantic will operate connecting flights from Riyadh to London, then onward to Los Angeles and other global destinations. He also hinted at an upcoming meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to explore further collaboration in tourism, including hotel ventures, cruise ships, and even space travel through Virgin Galactic.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said Virgin Atlantic’s arrival was made possible through collaboration with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Air Connectivity Program.

He explained that the airline would serve not only as a travel link but also as a broader tourism partner through its associated brands - Virgin Holidays, Virgin Voyages (cruise tourism), and Virgin Galactic (space tourism).

The new route is expected to contribute 95,000 seats annually between London and Riyadh, with the goal of attracting more tourists from Europe and North America.

Hamidaddin noted that these developments align with efforts to enhance travel options and pricing through both international and local airline partnerships.

The launch of the Virgin Atlantic route reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global tourism hub and highlights the deepening ties between Riyadh and London.

With Riyadh evolving into a center of investment and tourism, the city offers a gateway to explore the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes - ranging from vast deserts and towering mountains in Asir to warm Red Sea beaches and coral reefs - along with its world-class events, continue to draw millions of visitors from around the globe.