The Egyptian Tourism Authority is predicting 2017 as a year of growth from the UK following the launch of a new flight between Heathrow and Luxor and consumer research showing a demand from British people looking for better value holidays in 2017.

The Egyptian minister of tourism, Yehia Rashed, speaking at London’s World Travel Market said a tourism recovery strategy for Egypt was underway with major advertising and trade campaigns planned for the year ahead to raise awareness of the fact that Egypt is open for business.

“More than 1.5 million British visitors came to Egypt in 2010,” he said.

“Last year it was 870,000 and this year we expect it will be down by 70 per cent to fewer than 300,0000 visitors.

“But we are very confident that 2017 will be a year of growth.

“Egypt is open for business already with flights from Thomas Cook, Thomson, easyJet and Egyptair every week. 

“I personally believe it is just a matter of time before the UK government reviews the work and investment we’ve done in improving security in our airports and lifts the ban on flights to Sharm El Sheikh.

“The UK is now the only country in Europe with this ban.

“Germany and Belgium lifted it in May five months ago.”

It is believed the floating of Egypt’s currency last week which has seen its value reduced by almost 50% against the US dollar, should go some way in helping to lift Egypt’s tourism numbers, one of the country’s most important foreign currency earners.