{Replica} Politics & Tourism “Egypt is more than Tahrir Square”

In Egypt, the last stage of the parliamentary elections has just begun, in which a victory for the Islamists is expected. Among other things, they could ban bikinis and alcohol - with negative consequences for tourism, the country's most important economic sector. But how do tourism marketers deal with politically unstable situations? A Problem, which, by the way, is not only available in Egypt - and which raises the question of whether an all-round carefree holiday is still up-to-date.

Giza, 20.12. 2011, in the desert

Below the lights of the metropolitan region of Cairo, above the Pyramid of Cheops picturesquely illuminated. A place like from the tourismAdvertising, but inside the specially erected marquee it's about serious things Ask: Egyptian Tourism Minister Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour and Amr El Ezabi, Executive The Egyptian Tourism Authority gave a press conference.

Tourism - the most important economic factor in Egypt

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Topic: The tourismEconomy in Egypt. Also on the podium were representatives of the German economy: Jürgen Büchy, President of the German Travel Association (DRV) and  Dr. Christian Göke, head of Messe Berlin, where Egypt will be 2012 partner country of the International Tourism Exchange (ITB). The contract was signed here in Giza.

Tourism is the most important economic factor in Egypt: one in six Egyptians works in the Industry, 14,2 million guests from Aler Welt last visited Egypt in 2010, 1,33 million of them were German. But the Revolution a year ago brought severe losses to tourism.

A statistics provided to me by the Consul General of the Arab Republic of Egypt shows: Depending on the month, overnight stays for Egypt have declined between 33 and 45 percent. No wonder, then, that you ask yourself how to recover these important revenues again.

Open handling with a difficult situation

The statements at the press conference were surprisingly open, in view of the difficult situation. But everything else would have been unbelievable because of the recent events. The Egyptian Tourism Minister hopes for the reason of the prospective electors:

"Muslim brothers and Salafists cannot do without tourism," he said at the press conference (in the video above). Deputy Egyptian Minister of Tourism Hisham Zaazou had become a little more detailed two days earlier at a conference in El Gouna on the Red Sea, which revealed details of talks with the Islamists:

“Egypt is more than Tahrir Square”

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But those responsible for tourism are more concerned about the current events in Tahrir Square than the threat of the Islamists' election victory, which repeatedly determine the news about Egypt. They're not exactly cut out for visitors Lust to go on a carefree holiday in the country. The partnership with the ITB that has now been sealed was agreed before the revolution and could now prove to be a stroke of luck for the country.

Egypt must have had a guardian angel, says the minister, playing on the media awareness that Egypt as a travel destination could be part of. Because, according to the unanimous quote, Egypt is far more than Tahrir Square, the situation in the country clear quieter than the events from there would have you believe, as Tourism Minister Nour once again clearly emphasized:

For this an update of the 10.01.2012: In South Sinai Province, tourists were briefly appointed. Propelled Egyptians protested against electoral manipulation. After an administrative court had decided that the elections would be refounded, the tourists got free again. Apparently, everything went smoothly.

German economy is optimistic

And the German economy also demonstrated Optimism: Since November 20.11.2011th, XNUMX, Germania Airline has been flying once a week from the former military airport Magdeburg-Cochstedt to Hurghada. Her MarketingDirector Ralph Ullmann said at the press conference in El Gouna: “Egypt is going through an interesting phase. We find that exciting and want to stand behind the project. But we know the economics Risks and hope that after the elections we can relax a bit."

“We get on with the circumstances”

And DRV boss Büchy (in the Vido to the left of the Tourism Minister) said at the press conference in Giza: “We cannot ignore the TV images from Tahrir Square. They are contrary to the wish of German tourists that the most beautiful weeks of the year should not be negative to be influenced.” Overall, Büchy hopes for a peaceful transition in Egypt and is, as far as the outcome of the elections, left: “German tourism goes all over the world, including countries like North Korea. Political situations may change, but we are adapting. There will always be cooperations and relationships, we will adapt to the existing conditions and will and will also arrange in Egypt if necessary. ”

Reflect your own image

A situation full of contrasts that invites reflection - on the views of politics and business, but also on our own understanding of media consumption, travel and democracy.

Thus one can regard the attitude of the economy, to arrange itself with the conditions, in view of the pictures as cynical. Or think that Egypt is supposed to provide for stable democratic conditions.

“Tourism is important for democracy”

At the same time, however, tourism, as the most important economic force, is also crucial for the success of the democratic process - months ago Egypt's Minister of Tourism Nour, by the way, even Christ, in the interview with ZEIT ONLINE pointed.

There he said: “In the beginning it was mainly economic reasons that many People have driven into the street." And indeed can So far, you could also have a nice, quiet and relaxed holiday on the Red Sea, hundreds of kilometers from Tahrirplatz, and that is what is being done. Nevertheless, Tahrirplatz is somehow always present, at least in our group of journalists.

The engagement with the target country must start much earlier

That makes me reflect on our media consumption. In many countries you travel to, the political situation is far from optimal, and Egypt is no exception. This is usually ignored. For example, the release of a prominent blogger and activist in Egypt recently caused relatively little publicity. But when pictures of dead people slosh into the living room, the general panic is suddenly great. The pictures simply depict, as some might wish, can not - the events continue to happen.

No, dealing with the topic has to start well in advance. And the desire for a carefree holiday is understandable, not least thanks to him German tourism is on the up again. But is that still up-to-date at a time when things are getting politically restless in many popular holiday destinations? Or isn't it also a more far-reaching confrontation with the people in the target country useful?

The future of tourism?

In fact, futurologists have already identified a new type of tourist: someone who is not concerned with “just getting away”, but who sees travel as an individual experience, as an adventurous exploration of the world, as a fulfillment of the desire for change and departure. Now one may argue that revolution sight seeing is perhaps a little too much adventure.

In Israel, on the other hand, the activist Aziz Abu Sarah already makes an impression how this could work: with his agency Mejdi he offers "dual narrative tours" which are conducted jointly by Israeli and Palestinian leaders and which lead tourists to a Palestinian refugee camp, for example. Who knows, maybe that's how tourism sees it Future out?

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