Egypt: Will Charter to Luxor Be a Success?

[IMG=20989-6819] In the coming winter season several changes are expected in the Egyptian destination. In particular, the first charter aimed at excursion tourism is planned to be launched. At the beginning of November a flight to Luxor consolidated by Intair will be operated by Orenburg Airlines Boeing – 737. Alexey Sergeechev, Vice-President of Intair, commented on the initiative as follows: ‘it takes much time to get to Luxor now. It has great excursions opportunities; therefore, the new charter will extend travel potential of the country’. Travel market experts, on one hand, approve of the Intair decision to extend the assortment; on the other hand some of them doubt the success of the charter to Luxor. Thus, Anton Abramov, Head of the Egyptian Department of CAPITAL TOUR, said: ‘for Russian tourists Egypt is associated with beach holidays, especially in winter. The program might be a success only if Intair offer combined tours and cruises’. Furthermore, Svetlana Golubnichnaya, Head of Egyptian Department of ICS Travel Group, said: ‘now tourists get to Luxor from Hurgada (that takes them 4 hours) and spend the whole day in the city. Hardly anybody will prefer to spend there, for example, a week’. Moreover, travel market experts point out shortage of hotels in Luxor. Meanwhile, Intair admits certain risks emphasizing November holidays being a test period. The demand will show which further steps to make. ‘after November will probably make a month-long break and then will launch the charter by the New Year’. In general the market has a positive attitude towards the Intair initiative as a wish to have better financial performance in the season. Besides, tour operators believe that the coming season will be a hard time. ‘Traditionally in October and November there will be an excess of flights ambitiously launched by tour operators. Besides, the high competition on the destination will result into price wars and fighting for agents’, said Abramov. On the other hand, outflow of German and Italian tourists from Egypt will engender a wide range of special offers for accommodation in the country. ‘We have nothing but to hope that expected low accommodation rates will attract tourists to Egypt that will increase a tourist flow and makes the winter season a success’, commented Golubnichnaya.