Ahmed Bahgat, a father in his late twenties, was surprised when taking his family to a movie at Cinema El Tahrir in the Dokki district. He found that evening ticket prices had surged by 20%, reaching 120 EGP ($1 equals 52.3 EGP in banks), forcing him to abruptly increase his budget for the first night of the Eid holiday.
Bahgat told Asharq Al-Awsat that the price hikes were not limited to tickets but also extended to the popcorn and soda he bought for his two sons. He noted that prices had risen significantly since their last visit during the mid-year school break less than two months ago, a reality that has forced him to "calculate the cost of every group outing to avoid embarrassing situations."
The surge in fuel prices mid-month, which exceeded 30%, has prompted various service and commodity providers to implement price increases. Some cinemas have also adjusted their rates as a result of rising operational costs.
Entertainment as a Non-Essential Expense
Economic expert Karim el-Omda confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that recreational activities, such as going to the cinema or general outings, are among the sectors hardest hit during economic crises, as entertainment is often the first "non-essential" expense to be cut.
El-Omda added that reducing or halting spending on outings is a common occurrence in any society facing such pressures, not just in Egypt. He pointed out that "this trend will not be limited to the Eid period but is expected to continue in the coming months, potentially impacting turnout across various entertainment sectors."
Inclement Weather and Public Spaces
The holiday coincided with a wave of unstable weather, including warnings against traveling on certain highways during the first day of Eid, along with rain and wind in many areas. However, Ibrahim Metwally, Head of the Central Administration for Zoos, told Asharq Al-Awsat that ticket prices for provincial zoos remained unchanged. He noted that zoos that underwent renovations or added new animals saw a significant increase in visitors.
Metwally indicated that by the middle of the third day of Eid al-Fitr, ticket sales had increased by approximately 30% compared to the same period last year. He added that despite the unstable weather, the public’s desire to visit gardens and stay in open-air spaces to enjoy the festive atmosphere was remarkable across all age groups.
Conversely, the erratic weather drove many members of the Shooting Club (Nadi El Said) in Dokki to remain indoors, avoiding the club’s extensive green spaces and limiting their movement to periods of calmer weather.
Tourism and Pre-Bookings
Hotels in tourist hubs like Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada saw a noticeable influx of citizens for the Eid break. Most of these trips followed pre-arranged booking programs, typically lasting between three and four days, with a preference for hotels featuring private beaches.
Tourism expert Walid El-Batouty told Asharq Al-Awsat that the majority of bookings fulfilled during the Eid season were unaffected by recent price changes, as they were secured before the new hikes took effect.
El-Batouty added that while hotels are honoring previously set prices, they have already begun applying new rates to new bookings to avoid financial losses. He described this as a "standard periodic procedure" involving price adjustments for both Egyptian nationals and foreign tourists alike.
