Egypt: Soup and Water without Tourists

The Egyptian revolution came out of the blue, at a time when tour operators were in the process of booking flights and hotel beds. In view of instability and perceived threats, they shifted to other destinations, leaving the tourism industry, including small entrepreneurs and many people in the informal sector, without income. As travel guide book author Wil Tondok reports, about 2.5 million Egyptians are directly or indirectly dependent on tourism.

Without unemployment benefits, they now depend on their extended families for "soup and water", i.e. for minimum support to ensure their survival. Egyptused to be a safe and peaceful country, but in view of shattered livelihoods, the crime rate has risen. Tourists remain unaffected, yet they refuse to come. However, visiting Egyptat this time of crisis would help the people.

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