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Article: Tourists Return to Egypt As Islamic Violence Wanes; Turnaround Gives Boost to Ailing Economy
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 12, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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They're back.
Toting video cameras, haggling over the price of camel rides at
the Giza pyramids, navigating the Nile in five-star cruise ships or
wind-driven feluccas, tourists are returning to Egypt in growing
numbers, reinforcing government claims of victory over Islamic
militants.
"We're doing very well," said Hans Olbertz, general manager of the
Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel, Cairo's third-largest. "Tourism has
recovered to a great extent. People are interested in the destination
again. For two years, we were not even on the map."
The evidence is more than anecdotal. Egypt's Tourism Ministry
reported last month that between January and June of this year, 1.3
million tourists visited ...