MoU Between ASSOCHAM, IATO And Egypt To Promote Tourism

Efforts Are On To Improve Air Connectivity

Jyoti Koul- New Delhi

	The objective of signing the MoU is to develop institutional, trade and business relations between India and Egypt and to exchange information on general economic status particularly in tourism business and investment opportunities
Subhash Goyal

Egyptian tourism has created a stir even before it could actively start promoting tourism in India. A huge delegation of various stakeholders in tourism from Egypt comprising of government officials, tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers and tourism associations was in India to promote tourist traffic to the country. The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)with the Egyptian Tourism Federation (ETF), Egyptian Travel Agents Association (ETAA) and Egyptian Hotel Association. The MoU was signed in the presence of Ahmed El Maghraby, minister for tourism of Egypt.

According to Subhash Goyal, president, IATO and chairman, ASSOCHAM, Tourism and Civil Aviation Committee, "The main objective of signing the MoU is to develop strong institutional, trade and business relations between India and Egypt and to exchange information on general economic status particularly in tourism business and investment opportunities."

While signing the MOU, the parties also agreed to exchange trade policies and legislative changes in their respective countries in order to strengthen tourists inflow, trade technology and industrial cooperation between India and Egypt. Both the countries will make efforts to develop strong institutional, trade and business relations between the two countries in order to establish a sustainable mechanism of dialogue for further opportunities.

During the event Ahmed El Maghraby, said that he had chosen India as his first port of call since he took over as minister two years ago, not only because of its high potential but because both countries are endowed with nature and man to be natural partners in tourism.

However, the biggest roadblock in tourism promotion between the two countries is lack of direct air connectivity between Delhi and Egypt. Currently, there are only two direct flights to Cairo from Mumbai. Realising this fact, the Egyptian government is planning to discuss the matter with the India government. While commenting on this issue, Ahmed El Maghraby revealed that his ministry would be initiating a dialogue with Air India to resume its flights to Cairo.

At present, Egypt receives eight million tourists annually and the growth target for the next year is an increase of 12 per cent. Although there are no specific targets for the India market, Egypt is expecting to receive between three to five per cent of India's outbound market.