A new ferry service between the Egyptian resorts of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh has launched.

The service can carry 300 passengers and will operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The crossing takes around two hours and is currently priced at 630 Egyptian pounds for an adult return journey – around £50. 

The announcement was made during a press conference hosted by the minister of tourism, Yehia Rashed.

He stressed that the new service will make it easy for foreign visitors to experience both resorts.

The news is part of a concerted effort to increase the number of tourists visiting Egypt.

It follows a recent trip by a British parliamentary delegation to Sharm el-Sheikh where they inspected levels of safety and security, and commented positively on both.

Their comments were seen as an encouraging sign that the current restrictions could soon be lifted.

British prime minister Theresa May and Egyptian president Sisi also held a positive phone call discussing ongoing security improvements at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.

May praised the Egyptian government’s efforts to improve security at the airport and said the UK government would continue working closely with the Egyptians on this issue.