Air Arabia Maroc has announced it will launch flights from Manchester to Agadir this winter.
The Moroccan low cost airline will start twice weekly flights from October to the resort.
It makes Manchester the only airport in the UK outside of London served by the carrier.
Adel Al Ali, group chief executive, Air Arabia, said: “We look forward to connecting Manchester with Agadir and we are confident that this step will further cater to the needs of our growing customer base.
“Agadir offers a great tourism experience year around with its unique beaches, mountains, golf resorts and excellent dining options.”
The new service will operate on Thursdays and Sunday on an Airbus A320.
Stephen Turner, commercial director for Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great news that Air Arabia Maroc will start flights to Agadir from Manchester this winter.
“Agadir is a great beach resort that also offers fantastic access to the Atlas Mountains.
“This route will provide the 22 million people in our catchment area with further choice on how to reach this exciting destination.”
Royal Air Maroc has announced the launch of a new route between Manchester and Casablanca.
From Tuesday March 28th, the Moroccan flag-carrier will begin operating direct non-stop flights three times per week from Manchester Airport to Mohammed V International Airport.
The service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
This exciting launch sees Manchester Airport become only the third UK airport to operate flights to Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc, with the airline also currently running services from London Gatwick and London Heathrow.
The new service will use Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with both business and economy class seating available.
The scheduled flight time is approximately three hours and twenty minutes.
As well as offering direct flights from Manchester to Casablanca, Royal Air Maroc’s new service opens the door for connections to 33 African destinations.
Key connections through Casablanca, the second-largest hub to Africa, include Lagos, Accra, Nairobi and Banjul.
There is also an opportunity for flight connections to Brazil, as well as daily connecting flights to popular tourist destinations such as Marrakech and Agadir.
Royal Air Maroc serves over 90 destinations in four continents, bringing Africa closer to the rest of the world.
The airline’s UK & Ireland general manager, Achraf El Hassani, said: “Royal Air Maroc is delighted to launch the only non-stop service from the North of England direct to Casablanca, with thrice-weekly flights between Manchester Airport and Mohammed V International Airport.
“We are thrilled to be providing yet another invaluable link from the UK to Africa and look forward to welcoming passengers on board our service from March 28th.”
Manchester Airport is the UK’s third largest with more than 25.6m annual passengers.
It has more than 210 routes served by 70 plus airlines.
On the announcement of the Royal Air Maroc service, Stephen Turner, commercial director at Manchester Airport, said: “We are pleased to see Royal Air Maroc launch services from Manchester Airport.”
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Showing posts with label Agadir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Agadir. Show all posts
Friday, 2 June 2017
Friday, 3 March 2017
MOROCCO: Tourism Still Stagnant But Government Struggling To Revive It
Morocco's key tourism sector barely grew last year amid security challenges, but operators are hoping Chinese and Russian visitors will boost their fortunes in the coming years.
While political turmoil and jihadist attacks have battered the sector in Egypt and Tunisia, Morocco registered 10 million visitors last year, according to the Moroccan Tourism Observatory. That was a barely perceptible rise of 1.5 percent from 2015, it said.
But hoteliers in the narrow streets of the capital Rabat's old city were cautiously positive. "Last year was better than 2015. And the first two months of 2017 augured an even better year," said Hanane, manager of a local guesthouse.
Tourists are easy to spot wandering through Rabat's old city with its craft stalls, Andalusian-style houses and a 12th-century kasbah overlooking the Atlantic. But while tourism revenues rose 3.4 percent to $6.3 billion (5.9 billion euros) in 2016, visitor arrivals to Morocco have fallen far short of an ambitious official target of 20 million per year by 2020.
A growing number of visits by Moroccans who live abroad - counted as tourists when they come home - accounted for much of the sector's buoyancy. Foreign visitor arrivals last year were down by 0.9 percent. Karim, owner of a travel agency in commercial capital Casablanca, said more work was needed to drum up new business.
"The situation is pushing us to look for new markets outside Europe," he said. "But overall, it can be said that there was a slight recovery in 2016."
Authorities are hoping for an influx of Russian and Chinese tourists, who currently account for just one percent of total visitors. That is far behind the French, who make up almost a third of arrivals - a figure that includes many of Moroccan origin. "Europeans still top the list, but the number of Chinese visitors is growing," Hanane said.
"Since visas for the Chinese were abolished in June, a door has been opened."
Tourism remains a vital pillar of the Moroccan economy and the country's second biggest employer, after agriculture. The sector accounts for 10 percent of national income and, along with exports and remittances from Moroccans overseas, it is one of the country's main sources of foreign currency.
Former imperial city Marrakesh, with its UNESCO-listed old town, and the coastal town of Agadir have long been key attractions. They remain popular - in contrast to Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt, where visitor numbers have plummeted following the Arab Spring uprisings and repeated jihadist attacks. Morocco has not experienced an attack since a 2011 bombing in Marrakesh's famed Jamaa El Fna Square, which killed 17 people, mainly European tourists.
Today, security forces stand guard at Morocco's main tourist sites. The government, a key security partner of European countries, regularly announces it has dismantled jihadist cells. But while the kingdom remains safer than other countries in the region, visitor numbers have stubbornly refused to rise.
The local press calls the sector's performance "lacklustre and disappointing" compared with a 2010 plan to double arrivals. Back then, "Vision 2020" envisioned creating 200,000 new hotel beds and attracting 20 million visitors a year by the end of the decade. Since then, "many international factors" had disrupted the government's efforts, Observatory chief Said Mouhid said. "We will not reach 20 million in 2020, for sure, but it remains a symbolic figure to mobilise operators," he said. He defended last year's performance as "respectable and positive". "We are in a difficult international context, marked by many obstacles to travel," he said. "These figures prove the resilience of Moroccan tourism, even if they remain below our ambitions."
While political turmoil and jihadist attacks have battered the sector in Egypt and Tunisia, Morocco registered 10 million visitors last year, according to the Moroccan Tourism Observatory. That was a barely perceptible rise of 1.5 percent from 2015, it said.
But hoteliers in the narrow streets of the capital Rabat's old city were cautiously positive. "Last year was better than 2015. And the first two months of 2017 augured an even better year," said Hanane, manager of a local guesthouse.
Tourists are easy to spot wandering through Rabat's old city with its craft stalls, Andalusian-style houses and a 12th-century kasbah overlooking the Atlantic. But while tourism revenues rose 3.4 percent to $6.3 billion (5.9 billion euros) in 2016, visitor arrivals to Morocco have fallen far short of an ambitious official target of 20 million per year by 2020.
A growing number of visits by Moroccans who live abroad - counted as tourists when they come home - accounted for much of the sector's buoyancy. Foreign visitor arrivals last year were down by 0.9 percent. Karim, owner of a travel agency in commercial capital Casablanca, said more work was needed to drum up new business.
"The situation is pushing us to look for new markets outside Europe," he said. "But overall, it can be said that there was a slight recovery in 2016."
Authorities are hoping for an influx of Russian and Chinese tourists, who currently account for just one percent of total visitors. That is far behind the French, who make up almost a third of arrivals - a figure that includes many of Moroccan origin. "Europeans still top the list, but the number of Chinese visitors is growing," Hanane said.
"Since visas for the Chinese were abolished in June, a door has been opened."
Tourism remains a vital pillar of the Moroccan economy and the country's second biggest employer, after agriculture. The sector accounts for 10 percent of national income and, along with exports and remittances from Moroccans overseas, it is one of the country's main sources of foreign currency.
Former imperial city Marrakesh, with its UNESCO-listed old town, and the coastal town of Agadir have long been key attractions. They remain popular - in contrast to Tunisia, Turkey and Egypt, where visitor numbers have plummeted following the Arab Spring uprisings and repeated jihadist attacks. Morocco has not experienced an attack since a 2011 bombing in Marrakesh's famed Jamaa El Fna Square, which killed 17 people, mainly European tourists.
Today, security forces stand guard at Morocco's main tourist sites. The government, a key security partner of European countries, regularly announces it has dismantled jihadist cells. But while the kingdom remains safer than other countries in the region, visitor numbers have stubbornly refused to rise.
The local press calls the sector's performance "lacklustre and disappointing" compared with a 2010 plan to double arrivals. Back then, "Vision 2020" envisioned creating 200,000 new hotel beds and attracting 20 million visitors a year by the end of the decade. Since then, "many international factors" had disrupted the government's efforts, Observatory chief Said Mouhid said. "We will not reach 20 million in 2020, for sure, but it remains a symbolic figure to mobilise operators," he said. He defended last year's performance as "respectable and positive". "We are in a difficult international context, marked by many obstacles to travel," he said. "These figures prove the resilience of Moroccan tourism, even if they remain below our ambitions."
Wednesday, 28 September 2016
MOROCCO: Be Aware, Tourist Scams In Morocco
However, scamming IS a national sport here. Many you meet on the street will only be interested in your wallet. There are so many fakes, so many scams, that it is a contender to having the most number of scams in the world. Check out this article today to learn how to protect yourself and enjoy the marvellous experience Morocco has to offer!
Due to the low minimum wage in Morocco (100 DH for 8 hours), there are many who resort to pushing their help even if unrequested for in exchange for a sum of money. For instance, if you happen to look lost at a busy market, a nice guy will approach, point out and guide you to where you want to go. He will then demand a sum of money even if you did not request for it, which can be anywhere from 20-50% of his minimum wage, see the attractiveness of it now?
There are so many possibilities with this scam. For instance, a “nice guy” sees you taking photos. He then points you to a spot with better viewpoints and he will demand money for it. The smarter ones would not demand for it straight away. Once you accept their help the first time and trust is build, they will continue helping you with more tasks and eventually ask for money. At this point, most tourists would part with a bit of their money as they might guilty otherwise.
Unfortunately, the police cannot be counted on in such situations. So to be safe, avoid help from such nice guys, and only seek help from legit ones such as police officers or shop owners.
Just remember, the wider the smile, the sharper the knife.
Highly reported in Jemna El-Fna, Marrakech’s main square, you will find many ladies here who force their henna ink onto tourists sneakily. When you realize, they will apologize and offer to do a full henna tattoo instead. It seems like there’s nothing to lose at this stage, but when the job is completed, money will be demanded.
Worst of all, they don’t care how the henna tattoo turns out, as long as they get it done.
Again, in Jemna El-Fna, Marrakech’s main square, you will find people carrying animals such as snakes or monkeys. What they will do is place the animal on you, snatch your camera and take a photo for you in exchange for a tip/donation.
Simple and easy advice would be to stay away, or if you don’t mind, just pay up, which is actually a rather small sum.
Should you take a photo of these people or of their animals, they will demand payment from you as well so watch out.
The same thing can happen with scammers who carry Moroccan costumes around and throw them on you.
Also, be careful if someone offers to help you take a photo with your camera, as he might simply grab your camera and bolt off.
Similar to the live animals/costume photographers, the water sellers are dressed in traditional Moroccan grub. As the name suggests, they sell water in the past via their costume, but they do not do so now. Rather, they operate by charging an amount should you take a photo of or with them.
Similar to tuk-tuks in Thailand, get on a horse/camel, the service operator might bring you someway far away from town and demand for additional money.
Other operators might demand for an over inflated fee right at the start.
Never buy drugs here, as it is too high a risk to take (you shouldn’t even be taking it in the first place!) Morocco is taking a tough stance against those in possession of drugs – if you’re caught, be prepared to end up in jail.
This is similar to most other countries but the reality is, there are dealers and police members who work together to set tourists up. There are also undercover police who do so to catch tourists.
This is extremely common in the touristy parts of Morocco. What these scammers do is to first befriend you, give you some tips to build trust, and as you walk towards a certain destination, the scammer may claim that the place or lane is closed.
The place is closed scam is easy to spot, as it is common around the world where the scammer will simply introduce another place and a series of things happen, which is well described in this post on scams in Thailand. If they use the lane is closed scam, it is much more convincing and they will simply ask you to take another path.
Like clockwork, you will meet another passerby (accomplice) who corroborate the account that this path or place is closed and then lead you to a tannery. There’s usually a lingering smell which messes with you and many small roads making it akin to a maze. Once you’re in, it’s difficult to get out unless you buy something.
It’s unlikely the police will help when you get caught in such a situation as they would most likely have already been paid off Mafia style.
Such items (carpets, ceramics, Argan oil) are obviously fake at the major touristy markets, and tourists know it. Claims such as this carpet is 50 years old or from a certain tribe are obviously nonsense. However, there is a more effective way which scammers use to trick you into buying the fake ware as shown below:
For this scam, you might be approached by someone who speaks impeccable English and claims to be from your hometown/country. He then introduces himself and his goal in Morocco, that is to buy rugs/ceramics/Argan oil and sell back home for a handsome profit.
He then either offers to bring you around the souks and shop or simply ask if you’re willing to join him in touring the city. Regardless, you will end up at a carpet/rug shop and due to his connections and persuasion skills, you will get a huge discount for a carpet/rug, which are obviously fake.
You might not meet someone who speaks perfect English, but you may come across people who claim to be students who would like to practise their English with you. The outcome is the same.
If you really want to buy, begin bargaining from ¼ of the price, as the first price quoted is often nonsensical.
What’s worse than buying fake rugs is thinking you have bought a great carpet/rug only to have the vendor swap it with one that is of a poorer quality.
Generally, an accomplice will distract you, and the vendor will do the swap and he IS fast. So never let your attention stray, and if you are suspicious, check the rug again after they have packed it.
Money can be swapped as well. For instance, you pay $50, the vendor drops the bill accidentally, swaps it with a smaller note and then demand that you top up the difference.
Believe it or not, there are vendors who set the price of something at $x, and once you use it, they change tack and charge you double the price instead!
This is pretty similar to the fake nice guy scam, though somewhat different. The modus operandi of this scammer is to claim to be an official guide who is being paid by the tourist board, to put you at ease regarding payments or tips. He will not demand money for you, but will bring you to the famed carpet/rug shop in town and pressure you into getting one at an inflated price..
There are also of course who would demand payment from you at the end of the “tour”.
As with all scammy taxi drivers in the world, there are unlicensed cab drivers here and also many cab drivers who do not turn on the meter, all in the hope of demanding a much larger upfront fee from you.
Also, never pay any fare upfront when booking or making an arrangement with a taxi driver to turn up later on in the day. They will not once they get their money.
Also, beware of taxi drivers at airport who are the most aggressive ones. Some will charge a nonsensical amount – it should not cost you more than around 70 Dirham (give or take) in the day and 150 Dirham at night to the Medine. Some will not allow you to share cabs. Some will even jack up the price once you are out of the airport.
Besides the inflated fare, there are taxi drivers who will lie through their teeth to bring you somewhere else from your intended destination, that is to a shop where they can earn commissions. Why? Because commission in Morocco is big business, where shop owners can earn up to or even more than 50% of items you buy at these shops.
Blatant lying is not uncommon here, where some restaurants have even resorted to using two different menus! The cheaper one will be for when you first enter, and the more expensive one will be when it is time to foot your bill. Thus, always check your bill lest you overpay.
Good news is that the police knows about this sneaky scam and rough which restaurants do it. So you are covered in a sense.
Another way restaurants cheat is by claiming the bread and water are included as complimentary items, but are charged in the final bill. Thus, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it never hurts to always check your final bill. There are even restaurants which add extra items which you have never ordered into the final bill.
These beggars are not fake in the sense that they act as beggars, but they are fake in the sense that they act as if they have some ailments such as being blind or being unable to walk.
Hotel Amira et Vacances. Reports of racism found at this hotel. Where a plaintiff’s Senegalese friend was asked to leave even after having paid for his stay.
There are hotels which hire people to approach tourists on the streets to encourage them to stay at a hotel where they provide a glowing recommendation. An example is Pension Talaa in Fez’s Medina. These are hotels of poor quality at inflated prices.
The scam goes like this. A stranger puts something into your hand, and when you try to return it, he will claim that you have just robbed him. At this moment, a fake policeman walks by..
You will be asked to pay or threatened with arrest.
Similar but slightly different to scam #5 above, a musician may pass you a CD, asking you to check out his music. Should you accept, payment will be demanded. This can happen for any thing, as long as it is a physical item.
Note that you do not have to pay to use the public toilet! There are scammers who plant themselves at the entrance and demand a small fee which most tourist pay as they do not know + it is a small sum.
In the same vein as scam #7, there are scammers who demand for an entrance fee at the Medina and Tannery, which are obviously, free.
Avoid using those ATMs you find on the streets, as there’s a higher likelihood of getting your bank card swiped.
Also, be wary of strangers or beggars hanging around these ATMs, as there have been cases of robberies reported.
This is more so for Westerners in North Africa, as several state departments have warned, though more so along the border and southern regions. Avoid hanging out alone late in the night or trekking in remote mountain regions.
Western Sahara’s landmines. This is not technically a scam, but something to be wary of.
Emergency numbers:
The number to dial is 190, but operators usually do not speak English.
Also, dial 15 for firefighters and 150 for ambulance services.
Tourist police (Brigade Touristique)
Number to dial is: 0524 38 46 01
Wednesday, 24 August 2016
MOROCCO: Marrakech Preferred Destination For French Tourists
An analysis published by Trivago, a popular price comparison website, places Marrakech among the top 10 most preferred destinations for French tourists.
The analysis, published on Tuesday, August 11, ranks Morocco’s Red City the 6th most favored city for French travelers to spend their mid-August holiday. Marrakech is the only non-European city on the list intended as a holiday destination by tourists.
According to the analysis, the French capital Paris tops the list as the most favored destination. The second and the third attractions are Barcelona and Amsterdam, while the fifth position goes to London. The British capital has remained an attractive destination for the French despite the Brexit vote.
The analysis classifies the French tourists’ top 10 favorite attractions only for this year’s Feast of the Assumption, which takes place on a Monday this year. This gives French tourists a chance to spend an extended weekend at their favorite attractions.
The Feast of the Assumption is a Christian holiday observed on August 15 of every year. It celebrates the Assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Christian faith. According to the Christian Encyclopedia, this feast has a two-fold objective: “the happy departure of Mary from this life; the assumption of her body into heaven. It is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin.”
As to the French’s affinity for Marrakech, this analysis confirms the finding of a previous analysis by the same hotel-comparing tool that was published in mid-June. The analysis ranked both Marrakech and Agadir in the top 10 most preferred cities for French tourists in 2016.
The analysis, published on Tuesday, August 11, ranks Morocco’s Red City the 6th most favored city for French travelers to spend their mid-August holiday. Marrakech is the only non-European city on the list intended as a holiday destination by tourists.
According to the analysis, the French capital Paris tops the list as the most favored destination. The second and the third attractions are Barcelona and Amsterdam, while the fifth position goes to London. The British capital has remained an attractive destination for the French despite the Brexit vote.
The analysis classifies the French tourists’ top 10 favorite attractions only for this year’s Feast of the Assumption, which takes place on a Monday this year. This gives French tourists a chance to spend an extended weekend at their favorite attractions.
The Feast of the Assumption is a Christian holiday observed on August 15 of every year. It celebrates the Assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Christian faith. According to the Christian Encyclopedia, this feast has a two-fold objective: “the happy departure of Mary from this life; the assumption of her body into heaven. It is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin.”
As to the French’s affinity for Marrakech, this analysis confirms the finding of a previous analysis by the same hotel-comparing tool that was published in mid-June. The analysis ranked both Marrakech and Agadir in the top 10 most preferred cities for French tourists in 2016.
Monday, 29 February 2016
JORDAN: Aqaba To Offer Alternative To Sharm El-Sheikh?
Days after the Russian plane crashed in Sinai, the UK halted all flights to Sharm El-Sheikh until the results of the investigation were revealed. Russia shortly followed suit by cancelling all flights to and from Egypt. The Tourism Board in Jordan adopted new measures to encourage Russian tourists to visit Jordan, offering an alternative to Sharm El-Sheikh
Days after the Russian plane crashed in Sinai, the UK halted all flights to Sharm El-Sheikh until the results of the investigation were revealed. Russia shortly followed suit by cancelling all flights to and from Egypt. The Tourism Board in Jordan adopted new measures to encourage Russian tourists to visit Jordan, offering an alternative to the Egypt’s most famous tourism spots in Sinai.
According to the Jordan Times, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Abbed Al-Razzaq Arabiyat said they are contacting with Russian and British tour operators to promote tourism to the city of Aqaba. The JTB called on the Royal Wings to offer the Russian market cheaper flights to encourage Russians to visit Jordan, which was welcomed by the airline.
Russian tourism constituted 35% of the total tourism to Egypt, with the tourists reaching two million over the last nine months. The total of Russian tourism expenditure in 2014 amounted to $2.5m out of $7.3m, the total tourism expenditure.
In an attempt to support national tourism, some travel agencies launched packages to Sharm El-Sheikh at affordable prices, such as Tez Tour Egypt.
Jordan enjoys various touristic attractions that can become competition to those of Egypt, especially following the latest incident. The coastal city of Aqaba on the Red Sea has a similar climate to Sharm El-Sheikh and the historical city of Petra could grow to become a destination to tourists interested in history and archaeology. Wadi Rum or the Valley of the Moon can also serve as an alternative desert safari spot. The Dead Sea is already one of the world’s top health resorts.
Egyptian tourism will also have to compete with Easyjet’s other favourable destinations; Morocco, where the cities of Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, and Marrakech have been prominent destinations after Egypt’s Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh. Now that the airliner’s flights to Sharm El-Sheikh are on pause, demand on flights to Morocco is expected to increase.
Days after the Russian plane crashed in Sinai, the UK halted all flights to Sharm El-Sheikh until the results of the investigation were revealed. Russia shortly followed suit by cancelling all flights to and from Egypt. The Tourism Board in Jordan adopted new measures to encourage Russian tourists to visit Jordan, offering an alternative to the Egypt’s most famous tourism spots in Sinai.
According to the Jordan Times, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Abbed Al-Razzaq Arabiyat said they are contacting with Russian and British tour operators to promote tourism to the city of Aqaba. The JTB called on the Royal Wings to offer the Russian market cheaper flights to encourage Russians to visit Jordan, which was welcomed by the airline.
Russian tourism constituted 35% of the total tourism to Egypt, with the tourists reaching two million over the last nine months. The total of Russian tourism expenditure in 2014 amounted to $2.5m out of $7.3m, the total tourism expenditure.
In an attempt to support national tourism, some travel agencies launched packages to Sharm El-Sheikh at affordable prices, such as Tez Tour Egypt.
Jordan enjoys various touristic attractions that can become competition to those of Egypt, especially following the latest incident. The coastal city of Aqaba on the Red Sea has a similar climate to Sharm El-Sheikh and the historical city of Petra could grow to become a destination to tourists interested in history and archaeology. Wadi Rum or the Valley of the Moon can also serve as an alternative desert safari spot. The Dead Sea is already one of the world’s top health resorts.
Egyptian tourism will also have to compete with Easyjet’s other favourable destinations; Morocco, where the cities of Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, and Marrakech have been prominent destinations after Egypt’s Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh. Now that the airliner’s flights to Sharm El-Sheikh are on pause, demand on flights to Morocco is expected to increase.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
EGYPT: Aqaba To Offer Alternative To Sharm El-Sheikh?
Days after the Russian plane crashed in Sinai, the UK halted all flights to Sharm El-Sheikh until the results of the investigation were revealed. Russia shortly followed suit by cancelling all flights to and from Egypt. The Tourism Board in Jordan adopted new measures to encourage Russian tourists to visit Jordan, offering an alternative to the Egypt’s most famous tourism spots in Sinai.
According to the Jordan Times, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Abbed Al-Razzaq Arabiyat said they are contacting with Russian and British tour operators to promote tourism to the city of Aqaba. The JTB called on the Royal Wings to offer the Russian market cheaper flights to encourage Russians to visit Jordan, which was welcomed by the airline.
Russian tourism constituted 35% of the total tourism to Egypt, with the tourists reaching two million over the last nine months. The total of Russian tourism expenditure in 2014 amounted to $2.5m out of $7.3m, the total tourism expenditure.
In an attempt to support national tourism, some travel agencies launched packages to Sharm El-Sheikh at affordable prices, such as Tez Tour Egypt.
Jordan enjoys various touristic attractions that can become competition to those of Egypt, especially following the latest incident. The coastal city of Aqaba on the Red Sea has a similar climate to Sharm El-Sheikh and the historical city of Petra could grow to become a destination to tourists interested in history and archaeology. Wadi Rum or the Valley of the Moon can also serve as an alternative desert safari spot. The Dead Sea is already one of the world’s top health resorts.
Egyptian tourism will also have to compete with Easyjet’s other favourable destinations; Morocco, where the cities of Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, and Marrakech have been prominent destinations after Egypt’s Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh. Now that the airliner’s flights to Sharm El-Sheikh are on pause, demand on flights to Morocco is expected to increase.
According to the Jordan Times, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Abbed Al-Razzaq Arabiyat said they are contacting with Russian and British tour operators to promote tourism to the city of Aqaba. The JTB called on the Royal Wings to offer the Russian market cheaper flights to encourage Russians to visit Jordan, which was welcomed by the airline.
Russian tourism constituted 35% of the total tourism to Egypt, with the tourists reaching two million over the last nine months. The total of Russian tourism expenditure in 2014 amounted to $2.5m out of $7.3m, the total tourism expenditure.
In an attempt to support national tourism, some travel agencies launched packages to Sharm El-Sheikh at affordable prices, such as Tez Tour Egypt.
Jordan enjoys various touristic attractions that can become competition to those of Egypt, especially following the latest incident. The coastal city of Aqaba on the Red Sea has a similar climate to Sharm El-Sheikh and the historical city of Petra could grow to become a destination to tourists interested in history and archaeology. Wadi Rum or the Valley of the Moon can also serve as an alternative desert safari spot. The Dead Sea is already one of the world’s top health resorts.
Egyptian tourism will also have to compete with Easyjet’s other favourable destinations; Morocco, where the cities of Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, and Marrakech have been prominent destinations after Egypt’s Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh. Now that the airliner’s flights to Sharm El-Sheikh are on pause, demand on flights to Morocco is expected to increase.
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