Services account for 70% of the world’s exports, of which 30% are tourist exports, according to the Minister of Tourism, Rania Al-Mashat.
Al-Mashat added that the tourism sector is one of the most vital sectors, and the engine of the Egyptian economy toward a more prosperous future, noting that tourism is one of the most important service exports, positively impacting the Egyptian economy, as reported by the Middle East News Agency (MENA).
Her remarks came during her speech in a session organised by Procter and Gamble Egypt, one of the investors in the chemicals industry, on the sidelines of the ‘Diversity and Integration’ week, organised by the company in Egypt, which coincided with International Women’s Day.
The minister pointed out that her priorities during the last period were to bring together the parties and entities related to the tourism sector including the government, parliament, the private sector and citizens on a clear plan and vision for the development of the sector.
She added that the ministry’s vision aims to achieve the 17 UN sustainable development goals and link them to the tourism industry, which can directly and indirectly contribute toward achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment by providing suitable opportunities and the proper environment for employment in the sector.
Al-Mashat pointed out that her goal since taking over the ministry of tourism’s portfolio has been to change the stereotypical image of tourism in Egypt, in order to raise the competitive position of Egypt among the world by modernising the mechanisms of the tourism industry to keep up with the global changes in this area.
Furthermore, Al-Mashat assured that the ministry puts training and investment in the human element as a top priority, pointing to the ministry’s keenness to increase women’s training and participation in the tourism sector.
In conclusion, the minister highlighted that there are many positive reports which have been published internationally, ranking Egypt among the best tourist destinations for vacations in 2019.