As the 2011 uprisings took place, the national industry of tourism
declined. Visitor numbers decreased by some 37% in 2011. The number of
visitors was 9 million in 2011 while it was over 14 million in 2010.
This has had an influence on all other areas which ranges from travel
accommodation to car rental, air transportation, health and wellness and
tourist attractions, with value growth rates across the board declining
to double digit territory. Tourism operators introduced heavy discounts
in order to drain tourists back and prices remained low at the
beginning of 2012.[1] Terrorism has affected the industry in recent
times. A total of 58 foreign tourists were killed in the 1997 Luxor
massacre. The tourist industry sunk even lower with the September 11
attacks in the eastern United States in 2001, the 2004 Sinai bombings,
April 2005 terrorist attacks in Cairo, the July 23, 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh
attacks, and the 2006 Dahab bombings
Historically, foreign tourists have been a common target of attacks
dating back to the early 1990s. Militants have typically been motivated
by a combination of Qutbism and opposition to the Mubarak government,
and attacking foreigners including non-Muslims while hurting Egypt's
tourist trade was seen as serving both goals
The 2011 Egyptian revolution has effected tourism negatively, as have attacks on women by groups of men including British Journalist Natasha Smith and Lara Logan in Cairo’s Tahrir Square
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Egypt and U.S. citizens living in Egypt to depart at this time because of the continuing political and social unrest. On June 28, a U.S. citizen was killed during a demonstration in Alexandria. On May 9, a private U.S. citizen was attacked with a knife outside of the U.S. Embassy after being asked whether he was an American. Additionally, Westerners and U.S. citizens have occasionally been caught in the middle of clashes and demonstrations. The route and location of protests can change with little warning. You should avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. If you become aware of any nearby protests, leave the area immediately. There is also a high threat from terrorism. Although security is tight throughout the country, especially in resort areas, there remains a high risk of attacks which could be indiscriminate, including in public places frequented by foreigners
The 2011 Egyptian revolution has effected tourism negatively, as have attacks on women by groups of men including British Journalist Natasha Smith and Lara Logan in Cairo’s Tahrir Square
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Egypt and U.S. citizens living in Egypt to depart at this time because of the continuing political and social unrest. On June 28, a U.S. citizen was killed during a demonstration in Alexandria. On May 9, a private U.S. citizen was attacked with a knife outside of the U.S. Embassy after being asked whether he was an American. Additionally, Westerners and U.S. citizens have occasionally been caught in the middle of clashes and demonstrations. The route and location of protests can change with little warning. You should avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings. If you become aware of any nearby protests, leave the area immediately. There is also a high threat from terrorism. Although security is tight throughout the country, especially in resort areas, there remains a high risk of attacks which could be indiscriminate, including in public places frequented by foreigners
