- Steigenberger to Build Hotels in Egypt
In a bid to expand operations and boost revenue generation, Steigenberger, a subsidiary of Deutsche Hospitality in Egypt, has proposed to build new hotels in Taba and Luxor by the end of 2019.
Thomas Willms, the Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Hospitality, confirmed the planned expansion in a chat with Daily News Egypt.
Willms, who acknowledged the positive measures taken under the current administration to boost tourism, said, “We see the positive efforts the government is undertaking to foster economy, especially the tourism sector. The government did some great efforts in the private sector; they improved transparency and strengthened social solidarity pensions. They did a lot to bring Egypt back on the right track by promoting Egypt’s tourism all over the world.”
Willms stated that the hotel’s occupancy grew from 21.2 per cent to 60.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2019, making it the company’s best year since 2012. Suggesting that government efforts at enhancing tourism have started yielding results.
Tourism provides at least 3 million jobs (directly and indirectly) and contributes 20 per cent to Egypt’s GDP.
Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Tourism Minister, said the government considers the sector crucial for its growth plan. In a session with global partners, the International Finance Corporation and World Bank, Al-Mashat said the government had an audacious plan of having at least one Egyptian household member working directly or indirectly in the tourism sector in future.
It has been a year of good news for Egyptian tourism as Radisson Group announced plans to establish six new hotels in the country, coupled with Germany 5-year travel ban to Taba which was lifted last month.