TOUR operators have
seen a surge in Egypt
bookings.
“The Nile is suddenly back
on everyone’s bucket list,”
says Teresa Richardson, md
of The Travel Corporation. “It
echoes the overall 38% growth
in enquiry and bookings
we’ve experienced across our
brands this year.”
According to a September
2018 UNWTO global travel
and tourism annual report,
Egypt saw a 55% increase in
visitors from 2017.
Due to the increase in
demand for the destination,
Uniworld Boutique River
Cruising Collection has
invested in a brand-new ship
for 2020 sailings in Egypt, the
SS Sphinx. The first sailing
on the Splendours of the Nile
itinerary is set for January 4,
2020. “We have experienced
a strong growth in bookings
for Uniworld’s Egypt sailings,
which are currently up over a
1 000% year-on-year – albeit
off a small base. We’ve
taken the highest number of
bookings in five years,” says
Teresa.
“The heightened interest in
Egypt and our commitmzent
to supporting our long-term
Egyptian partners have
overwhelmingly been reflected
in the number of bookings,
which have risen globally by
145% from 2017,” says Ulla
Hefel Böhler, global ceo of
Insight Vacations and Luxury
Gold. “Luxury Gold sold out its
seven-day Elegance of Egypt
Summer 2019 journey.”
Egypt is a very affordable
option for South African
travellers, she says. Tours
and hotel arrangements are
fairly cheap and meals too are
affordable.
“Egypt is consistently in
our top-five destinations. Our
South African pax numbers
to Egypt have definitely
increased,” says gm of On
The Go Tours, South Africa
and the Middle East, Alex
Gonsalves. He says clients
are already booking for 2020.
He advises agents to book
with tour operators that have
connections in Egypt and who
can offer up-to-date travel info.
There is also increased
interest from clients for trips
to Alexandria, as opposed
to the more traditional
experiences, says Sarah
Whiteside, director of Earth
Wanderer.
Egypt bookings soar in SA market
Comments | 0
