Egypt Denies Selling Airports, Ports to Foreign Parties

Cairo International Airport in Cairo, Egypt (File photo: Reuters)
Cairo International Airport in Cairo, Egypt (File photo: Reuters)
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Egypt Denies Selling Airports, Ports to Foreign Parties

Cairo International Airport in Cairo, Egypt (File photo: Reuters)
Cairo International Airport in Cairo, Egypt (File photo: Reuters)

The Egyptian government denied “selling ports and airports to foreign parties,” stressing that such rumors circulating on some websites and social media are baseless.

The cabinet issued a statement asserting that none of the Egyptian ports or airports will be sold to foreign parties, either at the present time or in the future.

It urged all media outlets to be careful and accurate before reporting such news that could undermine national projects.

Ministries of Transport and Civil Aviation stressed that “Egyptian ports and airports are wholly owned by the state and subject to Egyptian sovereignty and will remain so.”

The two ministries explained that the state is implementing an integrated strategy to develop the maritime transport system in accordance with the latest global systems, with the aim of maximizing its competitiveness.

The strategy also aims to keep pace with global developments in transportation, saying it includes raising the efficiency of the infrastructure and superstructure and applying the latest information technology systems.

The government also has a plan to comprehensively develop Egyptian airports, by implementing a number of infrastructure development projects, raising the level of services provided to travelers, as well as upgrading the security systems at all airports.

The cabinet affirmed that top international health measures are applied at the airports to ensure the safety of passengers and workers.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said it used the period during which travel restrictions were imposed at airports to limit the spread of the coronavirus to implement extensive maintenance, including all departure and arrival halls in the airports.

The authorities also indicated that all communication networks, electricity and security devices, and the facilities infrastructure were included in the maintenance operations.

In addition, a number of new airports have been established most notably Sphinx, the New Administrative Capital, Berenice, and Bardawil.



Attractive Environment Drives Surge in Private Tourism Facilities in Saudi Arabia

Visitors flock to one of the events of “Riyadh Season 2024” (SPA)
Visitors flock to one of the events of “Riyadh Season 2024” (SPA)
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Attractive Environment Drives Surge in Private Tourism Facilities in Saudi Arabia

Visitors flock to one of the events of “Riyadh Season 2024” (SPA)
Visitors flock to one of the events of “Riyadh Season 2024” (SPA)

As Saudi Arabia experiences a surge in visitor numbers, there is a growing need to expand tourism infrastructure to keep up with demand.

In this context, the private facilities sector has emerged as a practical solution, contributing positively to increasing the income of local citizens who own these facilities.

This growth is reflected in the significant rise in the number of licenses granted by the Ministry of Tourism, which saw an increase of 333% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

In January, the Ministry of Tourism announced a new mandate requiring booking platforms and apps to exclude or refrain from listing unlicensed private hospitality facilities.

This move aims to ensure the quality of services provided to both local and international tourists across the Kingdom. The Ministry warned that any platforms violating this directive would face penalties.

This initiative is part of a campaign which seeks to enforce compliance with tourism licensing standards and regulations, ensuring facilities meet the criteria outlined in the Kingdom's Tourism Law and its accompanying regulations.

According to preliminary data from the Ministry of Tourism, the number of licenses issued for private hospitality facilities reached 8,357 last year, compared to 1,929 licenses in 2023.

Under the Kingdom’s Tourism Law, a private hospitality facility is defined as “any furnished and independent property unit, owned by an individual, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, and offering daily accommodation services for a fee.”

Ministry spokesperson Mohammed Al Rasasimah emphasized that the growing number of licenses issued for private hospitality facilities reflects the ministry’s commitment to enabling individual investors in the hospitality sector to obtain the necessary operating licenses.

This initiative aims to enhance the quality of services provided.

He added that these efforts are part of the "Guests Are Our Priority" campaign, which seeks to strengthen compliance with licensing and classification standards and ensure facilities meet the conditions set out in the Tourism Law and its regulations.

Dr. Salem Baajajah, an economic expert and professor at King Abdulaziz University, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the significant growth in hospitality and tourism facilities is a result of the Ministry of Tourism's efforts to attract foreign investors.

He added that this expansion reflects a growing demand from international investors seeking to capitalize on opportunities in Saudi Arabia, aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goal of increasing the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia.

He further explained that the tourism sector is experiencing notable growth, contributing to higher revenues for local citizens.