5 Reasons Why Travellers Should Visit Egypt Right Now
Like so many people in the world, Egypt has always loomed large in my imagination. The towering pyramids; the ancient mummies; the elaborate hieroglyphics and statues and pillars in temples; the rich history; the proud people. Egypt is home to one of the world’s great civilizations and is near the top of so many people’s bucket lists. Unfortunately, it’s also suffering right now due to conflicts in the Middle East.
I recently had the pleasure to visit Egypt, as I led a group of travel consortia leaders on a fact-finding mission to Egypt, hosted by Goway and the Egyptian Tourism Authority. We explored Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza, seeing the Sphinx and Cheop’s Pyramid. We toured the old corridors of Cairo, bartering in souks and shopping for crafts and souvenirs to take back home. We feasted on fresh Egyptian cuisine and enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Egyptian people. And we cruised the Nile River from Aswan to Luxor, touring tombs and temples of the banks of the river along the way. It was an incredible journey of awe-inspiring sites. And it was completely safe.
Our group learned first-hand that it’s a great time to visit Egypt right now. Based on our experiences and insights during our trip, here are five of the reasons why you should plan a trip to Egypt for your clients right now.
1. Egypt Is Safe
“I never once felt safety to be an issue,” says Cece Drummond, VP Supplier Relations for Travelsavers/NEST, who joined me in the trip. “While there is some concern about global unrest in the region, travellers should not wait to visit this area of the world. I know security is on everyone’s mind today, but having our local DMC there at every minute of the trip made me feel very comfortable.”
“Egypt is a totally misunderstood place,” says Sean Tolkin, VP World Travel Holdings, who was also on the trip with me. “It’s safe, friendly, and the infrastructure is incredible.”
2. Egypt Is a Bucket-List Destination
“The warmth and hospitality of the Egyptian people, the cultural and historical significance of the places we visited, the knowledge and story-telling abilities of the guides and Egyptologists, and the deliciousness and freshness of the food easily puts Egypt in my top five travel experiences of all time,” says Karryn Christopher, EVP Marketing & Preferred Partnerships for Signature Travel Network, who also explored Egypt with me. “Egypt offers a great combination of experiences for all types of travel thanks to the city and cultural activities of Cairo and Alexandria, the leisurely pace of the Nile River cruise, the more serene atmosphere of rural Aswan, and the beach resorts and active and adventure activities of Sharm El Sheikh. It’s an excellent choice for all types of group travel.”
Sean adds: “The sites are very well-protected, and pictures do not do them justice.”
3. Egypt Is Affordable & There Aren’t Many Crowds
“Because of cancellations stemming from the Israel-Hamas war, there is availability right now, which is a prime time to go because of the mild weather (in the high-70s °F) and the joy of travelling without crowds, says Karryn Christopher.”
“Go now before the crowds and costs increase. And be sure to book all components of the trip with one operator like Goway, who can provide assistance if anything goes wrong with air delays, et cetera,” says Cece Drummond. “Also, traveling during the cooler time of year also made the trip so much more comfortable.”
4. The Egyptian People are Friendly
“Of course, the deep history behind this country was amazing, but I was also so impressed with the friendliness of the people and their love of sharing it all with visitors,” says Cece Drummond.
“From learning about the history and sites of Egypt since elementary school, and watching documentaries in prep for the trip, I had a great sense of what we would see, and the first-hand experience of visiting such iconic sites was incredible,” says Karryn Christopher. “But the shared moments and conversations with locals is what made the trip so special.”
“The food is incredible,” Sean Tolkin adds. “Cairo is a cosmopolitan, first-world city.”
5. Local Egyptians Rely on Tourism
“Egyptians want your business,” says Sean Tolkin. “They want the war to end. They are for peace.”
“Encourage travelers to go, now!” says Karryn Christopher. “Tourism is such an important economic driver for the local economies in Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, Luxor and all of the small towns along the Nile. The people of Egypt need us to visit, now.”
I couldn’t say it better myself. It’s a great time to visit Egypt and the travel industry should support the local people, from those people who run shops and restaurants to those who work in hotels and as tour guides. Egypt is an incredible country, as much so at this very moment as it has been for thousands of years. It’s time to help your clients explore it. Get in touch if you have any questions about my experience in Egypt or to start planning a trip today.
