The trip was organised by Egyptian Tourism Office in Mumbai with their travel partners and the country’s official carrier – Egyptair

1. EGYPT ….Where it all begins
The trip was organised by Egyptian Tourism Office
in Mumbai with their travel partners and the
country’s official carrier – Egyptair.
Egypt created history by a popular pro-democracy
uprising, the Egyptians now await the return of Egyptian Tourism Minister H.E Mounir Fakry Abdel Noor,
tourists, including from India, to help revive the H.E Amr El Ezaby Chairman Egypt Tourism Office & Mr.
country's ailing economy. To boost the tourism Adel El Masry, Director Egypt Tourism Office India with a
business the Egypt Tourism Office recently invited a delegation of Indian Media
delegation of senior Indian journalists to familiarise
them with the fast normalising situation in the
country and bring the true picture of Egypt in front
of the world.
From the Desk of Mr. Adel El Masry, Director, Egypt Tourism Office, Mumbai
Dear Friends,
We are pleased to welcome you all to our country and exhort you to experience our warm
hospitality and friendship, which is very similar to the traditional warmth and courtesy
accorded to visitors in India. I am extremely happy to convey to the readers that Egyptian
Tourism is gaining confidence from its tourists about their safety and wellbeing in the
country post the political democratic movement. The tourism office conducted a FAM trip of
a delegation of 8 Senior Media Professionals to experience the Egyptian hospitality, see for
themselves the as to how fast the country is coming back on its feet and portray to the World
that Egypt has recovered from the crisis in every possible way.
Our current issue will impel the voyagers to travel here and enjoy places like Luxor, land of
the greatest temples, Sharm El Sheikh , Red Sea, Sinai, Cairo and many more.
Wishing you a great trip!!

2. Media Familiarization Trip - A glimpse …….
April 10- April 16, 2011
Egypt Tourism Office in India organized a FAM trip It is clearly evident that Tourism to Egypt is coming
for 8 Senior Media Professionals from India to back to stability after a three week long political
assure that tourism in the Country is on the path of democratic movement. The FAM trip initiated by the
recovery. Egypt Tourism Office was a successful event to bring
the true picture of Egypt tourism industry & the
Media professionals met Egyptian Tourism Minister political scenario. The Media delegation had a face to
H.E Mounir Fakry Abdel Noor and Chairman of the face meeting with several dignitaries during the trip
Tourism Authority to understand the current political were able to understand how the tourism sector was
and Tourism situation in the country. impacted during the crisis and how the situation is now
H.E Mounir Fakry Abdel Noor is an Egyptian taking its normal shape.
politician who is the Secretary-General of the Wafd
Party and has been Minister of Tourism since Some of the quotes by the dignitaries:
February 2011.
“Egypt is safe and extremists represent a minuscule
proportion of the movement,”
"What happened is unique. Youth, who believed in a
cause defeated armoured vehicles. They have gained
admiration of the world," Mr Mounir Fakhry
Abdelnour, Minister for Tourism.
“It is in the mind. Egypt is secure and the sun is
continuously shining here.”
H.E. Mounir Fakry Abdel Noor addressing the media
“Come and see for yourself” Capt. Ayman Nasser,
A VISIT TO EGYPT AIR Chairman of Egyptair
“We are confident that tourism in Egypt will be much
better in the medium-term and in the long-term, its
potential will be realised to the maximum. The country
is in a good position today and with democracy; it is
the beginning of good things to come” H.E Amr El
Ezaby Chairman Egypt Tourism Office
Flag hosted outside EgyptAir office
The Media Delegation was invited at the EgyptAir
office where they met Capt. Aymen Nasr Chairman
of The EgyptAir Airline. Egypt Air hosted high tea
session for the media delegation and in honour of their
visit they hosted the Indian Flag at the office premises.
The organisation has been operating most of its flight
through out during the upheaval period and rendered
H.E Amr El Ezaby Chairman Egypt Tourism Office
great support system to the Egypt Tourism Industry. addressing the media

3. A glimpse …….
The trip was planned with the consent of Ministry of
Tourism and EgyptAir as travel partners by the
efforts of Mr Adel El Masry, Director, Egyptian
Tourism Office, Mumbai, India
The team of Journalist in the EgyptAir office
“Egyptian Tourism is gaining confidence from its
tourists about their safety and wellbeing in the country
post political democratic movement. Tourists have
started coming to Egypt as they are confident that they
will not have any problems pertaining to their security
and safety” Mr. Adel El Masry, Director Egypt
Tourism Office
The senior journalist had an interaction with H.E.
Mr. R. Swaminathan, Indian Ambassador to Egypt,
he joined as the Ambassador of India in Cairo in March The media delegation at the Pyramids in Giza
2009. He highlighted that Indian tourism to Egypt had
been growing 30 per cent year-on-year for the last two-
three years
Mr. Adel El Masry, Director Egypt Tourism Office India with
Quotes by Mr. R. Swaminathan
the delegation holding Egyptian Flag
“1.4 lakh Indians visited last year. And Indian visitors
here have been high value, preferring the more
expensive cruises and the like to beach tourism.”
“Oh the traffic is back. Then things must be back to
normal in Egypt.” H.E. Mr. R. Swaminathan , Indian
Ambassador to Egypt

4. EGYPT TOURISM BACK IN ACTION
The trip covered all the magnificent destinations of Egypt has always been known for its exotic pyramids,
Egypt which showcased the modern Egypt that has colourful markets and the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-
created a distinct identity, keeping intact its rich ancient Sheikh. But the recent upheaval had put everything on
cultural heritage. The FAM trip covered places such a halt that hit the country in Jan 2011. The Egyptian
as Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, the historic authorities are also counting on tourists from India to
Tahrir Square, Nile cruise and rich culture was help revive the economy which earned USD 12.5
showcased through various functions held for the billion in 2010 from tourism.
delegation by the Tourism Authority.
Tahrir Sqaure was the major attraction of the FAM
The trip started with a beautiful sight seeing of the trip where the journalist visited the historic place where
pyramids in Cairo followed by the meeting with the political democratic movement began. The place is
Minister of Tourism & chairman of Egypt tourism now back in the normal mode and things have settled
Authority down
Pyramids in Cairo
The FAM Trip media were taken all around Luxor Journalist having a good time on a cruise
which is considered the greatest outdoor museum in the
world and contains nearly one third of the world’s
antiquities.
View from Glass
Boat
The Karnak Temple in Luxor
Another beautiful destination covered was Sharm The journalists were taken to enjoy an intimate
el-Sheikh, a city situated on the southern tip of the encounter with the exotic life in the coral reef while in
Sinai Peninsula, in South Sinai Governorate, Egypt, on a glass bottomed boat on their trip to Hurghada.
the coastal strip along the Red Sea. Most people head to
Sharm el Sheikh for sun, sea, blue skies and waterfront A sail over vivid coral reefs and the beautiful fishes and
tourist attractions. Sharm el Sheikh is largely a resort other fascinating underwater life that inhabits them is a
city catering to tourist needs, with top-class hotels and experience in itself. One must go for a glass bottomed
fine restaurants. boat ride which will leave you with many wonderful
memories of your visit to Hurghada.

5. Pictures from the Journey
Egyptian flag flying high on a boat
Traditional Tanura Dance
Mr. Adel El Masry with Ms. Kiran Yadav at Tahrir Sqaure holding
The team having a good time
high the Egyptian Flag
The Beautiful view of Giza pyramids at night
Mr. Bhupendra Chaubey from CNN IBN at Sharm El Sheikh
Natural stones in shape of Allah in Arabic Mr. Shreevatsa Nevatia enjoying traditional Egyptian food

6. Pictures from the Journey
Hoarding outside the Airport
Enjoying the Horse cart ride
A visit to the valley of Kings
Majestic view of Nile River
A shot of the beautiful valley of Queens
Shopping for artefacts at local street bazaars- Ms. Kiran
Yadav with a Shopkeeper

7. TIME TO SHOP!! FOOD, DANCE & MUSIC
Shopping in Egypt is a wonderful experience with the There is so much to do in Egypt, enjoying nightlife in
wide variety of shops and shopping malls in the different Egypt is among one of the best things to there. The
Egyptian cities. While Egypt Shopping, tourists can find most vibrant nightlife of Egypt is of capital city-
quality antique items as well as modern ones in the Cairo. Several hotel nightclubs offer dinner program
Egyptian shops and markets. There are many modern-day with a Russian Show and a belly dance program. The
shopping malls, which can be found in the Tahrir Square best ones are in the Helnan Palestine and the
area. The most famous area of shopping is the Khan el- Montazah Sheraton.
Khalili in Cairo where one can find the best antique
items. The area specializes in spices, jewelry, spices,
utensils and Coptic cloth items. It is also the ideal place
to buy brassware and copper items.
The famous Whirling Dervish Dance
View outside
The hotel
Khan el- Khalili market in Cairo
EATING OUT!!
Shops at Khan El- Khalili market
Mr. Adel El Masry, Director Egypt Tourism office with
media delegation at Mena House Hotel Oberoi
The media delegation was taken to all round trip of
several places where they enjoyed different variety of
food items in Egypt.
Egyptian cuisine is largely connected to Arabic and
Middle-Eastern foods. The best places to eat in Egypt,
if you are looking for good value, are in cafés but the
Evening market in Sharm el Sheikh choice of food isn’t as good as in restaurants whose
target clientele are tourists and the local middle class.
The bazaars of Luxor are some of the best places to buy Street stalls are found in most big towns and cities
perfumes, bedsheets, wall hangings, embroidered cushion and are the cheapest place to get a snack. During the
covers, carpets and other exquisite items and Aswan is trip the delegation stayed at Hotel City Stars in
the best place to buy gold jewelry and spices. Cairo & Hotel Sonesta in Luxor.

8. SNAPSHOTS FROM THE MEDIA

9. PHOTO EXHIBITION
“Egyptians making History as usual”
A girl helping father to clean the Tahrir Square
The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to India, Mr Khaled
El Bakly, explains the photographs from his collection of the Egypt
revolution in New Delhi on April 1, 2011 Titled “The 25th January
Revolution”.
The Embassy of the Arab republic of Egypt in the Capital
organized an exhibition of photographs of the revolution
that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak after a
three-decade rule. The exhibition titled ‘The 25th January
Revolution: Egyptians making history as usual’,
comprised of 96 photographs, which had been printed
and later framed by the Embassy from the Internet and
other sources.
The photographs were picked personally by H.E Khaled
El Bakly, which showcased both the professionalism of
Holding aloft the flag the Egyptian military as well as help the world see the
Egyptians who had contributed to the change. The
photographs were kept in such a way in the embassy
gallery walls that each wall had a different story and a
walk through the gallery explains the entire revolution to
the viewers
A kid in safe hands Muslims & Christians hand in hand

10. UPCOMING EVENTS/ FESTIVALS NEWS BULLENTIN
EGYPT TOURISM OFFICE ORGANISED FAM TRIP
ALEXANDRINA WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL: 2011
(Annual) 6- 12 MAY 2011 Egypt Tourism Office in India organized a FAM trip
for Indian Media from April 10- 16 2011 to assure that
tourism in the Country is on the path of recovery. The
trip covered all the magnificent destinations of Egypt.
The Festival aims at establishing a “colorful map of
music” in the consciousness and taste of the public and
participating musicians. It would also provide
possibilities for musicians to experience the potential of
developing diverse musical trends, free from the moral
pressure of official institutions and the financial
pressure of commercialism.
KITE JAMBOREE: MAY 2011
24 COUNTRIES LIFT TRAVEL ADVISORY
Kite Jamboree is El Gouna's annual event which puts The Egypt tourism office in India recently announced
the latest kite surfing equipment to the test through that several countries like Finland, Italy, Netherland,
displays and competitions at the RedSeaZone centre. Ukraine, Spain etc have withdrawn their travel advisory
Lessons introducing visitors to kite surfing, fashion against travelling to Egypt.
shows and parties are also on the programme.
EGYPT LAUNCHES A NEW AD CAMPAIGN AT
ITB
At the ITB in Berlin, H.E. Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour,
Minister of Tourism, unveiled a new international
advertising campaign with a series of slogans
celebrating Egypt 25th January Revolution. The new
slogans include:” Welcome to the Country of Peaceful
Revolution”, “ 7000 years of History and New Era” ,
“Tahrir – a Square Rocks the World” .
EGYPTIAN EXPRESSIONISM EXHIBITION: 4- KEMPINSKI THE SPA TO OPEN IN KEMPINSKI
12 MAY 2011 NILE HOTEL, GARDEN CITY, CAIRO
After the successful launch of Cairo’s first boutique
An Exhibition displaying different art works luxury hotel last July, Kempinski Nile Hotel launched
representing the expressionist stylistic school and its new spa in March 2011. Designed especially for
presenting the experiment of Artist Awny Hikel. Kempinski Hotels, the opening welcomes the first
Venue: Bibliotheca Alexandrina - Arts Center Kempinski The Spa to the Middle East & Africa
SINAI LIBERATION DAY: 25 APRIL, 2011
Celebrated every year, it honours the withdrawal in
1982 of the last Israeli troops from the peninsula. A
national parade and a speech by the Egyptian president
commemorate the historic event.
Write in with your views on the below mentioned address:
Egyptian Tourism Office, 48, 1st Floor, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400 005
Tel: 91 22 2218 9543/ 9170 • Fax: 91 22 2218 8380/4002 9543 • Website: www.egypt.travel
Email: egyptcontours1@gmail.com / info.in@egypt.travel