Egypt to woo Arab tourists for Ramadan
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During Ramadan, Muslims who are fit and able are required to abstain from food, drink and smoking during daylight hours. They then traditionally gather to break the fast at sunset with their families for the iftar meal.
For many Muslims, Ramadan is therefore not a time to book holidays abroad, but a time when most socializing takes place in the home.
Against this tradition, Egypt is trying to attract Arab tourists to the banks of the Nile during the holy month with the “Fawanees Ramadan Festival.” The festival will kick off in the capital Cairo with a parade of traditional sailing boats or “felucca” down the Nile.
The campaign, organized by the tourism ministry, seeks to promote the Egyptian Ramadan experience in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Libya and Tunisia. Non-Arab Turkey, with its majority-Muslim population, is also being targeted by the campaign which is backed by heavy advertising.
Egyptair’s fleet of aircraft and Cairo international airport are also taking part and have been especially decorated for the occasion, while several luxury hotels favoured by Arab wealthy tourists are offering special Ramadan packages.
Advertising spots have been aired on Egyptian and Arab satellite channels under the slogan “Egypt’s Spirit in Ramadan.”
The campaign is of vital importance to Cairo’s coffers. Arab tourists, particularly those from the Gulf, make up almost 20 percent of the 12 million visitors who come to Egypt annually.
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