Blog du Wren

Egypt Needs Your Tourist Dollar

I'll be blunt: Egypt needs your tourist dollar. They've had a thriving tourist industry (for good reason!), one on which many people relied, for many many years*. Then, Arab Spring, the downing of that Russian passenger plane, and some pretty rough media coverage of isolated occurrences of violence and tourism all but dried up. That has left the country really hurting and many of the sites that tourist dollars go to help maintain, protect, and further uncover unfunded. In talking with folks here, they ask us, the few Americans they see, to tell people Egypt is worthwhile and good. And that's what I want to do.

Egypt is pretty awesome. Obviously the history can't be overlooked—pyramids, tombs, , hieroglyphs, , that crazy ancient Egyptian where perspective is a little crazy but so recognizable. It's something we've all seen parodied or copied our whole lives, but this is the real stuff...and it's really really cool. But the history stuff is probably the first thing that people think of when they think of travel in Egypt*. But there's so much more.

There's diving and in the Red Sea. There's vistas over the River Nile(!). There's culture and food and desert and pleasant weather! And the are so nice! On the street, it never fails if we have a map out or look confused, someone stops to ask us if we need help. Granted, occasionally it comes with a pitch to use their travel agency, have a look in their shop, or otherwise get an "appreciation". But often not. And even if, when you politely decline, they wish you a happy new year and you're on your way. Really, there's kind of a lot going for this place.

And guess what... it's cheap! Della and I will end up averaging about $30/day each (including meals, hotels, in-country travel, admission fees, etc.). And that's living pretty high. Our current hotel has a pool (Yasmina in Dahab, I highly recommend it!). We eat well. We see all the things we're supposed to see (and even more*). We even take the occasional taxi! All for about what life costs back home.

It feels good knowing that my tourist dollars are going to people that need them. In planning to come here, people warned us off and generally were aghast at the idea. I'm so glad we didn't listen* and came anyway. 've had a wonderful time. Egypt was happy to have us. It's win win! So please consider putting Egypt back on your travel horizon. They will thank you.

Sunday January 3 2016

File under: travel, Egypt

Toggle Comments (2)

comment?

on Tue 05th Jan, 2016 07:30 pm EST Stevedore said:
Yay Wren and Della!! Thanks for the updates and pictures!

************************
on Fri 19th Feb, 2016 02:21 am EST Isabel said:
Hello! Your Egyptian postcard finally arrived to Budapest, after travelling around for some month and a half. Such a surprise! I am getting to learn some hieroglyphics now, and George will learn them too when he comes in a week. Hugs!
************************

<<Un-Welcome to Jordan

Cheesing It Up at Giza>>

Name:
URL: (optional)
Comment:
speak yer peace