The shortage of police presence around Egypt’s numerous attractions along with increasing cases of violence and vandalism are factors that are threatening further development of tourism in Egypt, according to a report by UK-based Tourism-Review.com.
Tourists are now often being harassed in the streets without the knowledge that the police can intervene, the report noted.
Tourism-Review.com said the recent looting at the Karnak Temple was not overseen by large amounts of policemen, as it should have been.
“Indeed, the service for the protection of temples, historic sites and monuments is either very poor or non-existent,†the report pointed out.
“Nowadays, the situation is at its worst since the shooting incident at Queens Hatshepsut in 1997 when 6 gunmen killed 62 people.
“A rise in xenophobia in Cairo has had an effect on tourism and is linked to the outbreak in vandalism. Many monuments are being targeted in a bid to purposefully put tourists off and the plan is working.
“Centres such as Luxor are really feeling the strain and many see increased police presence as the only reasonable solution. Tourists may just turn a blind eye to vandals as long as they know they are safe,†said Tourism-Review.com.
Meanwhile Egyptian authorities have dismissed reports that they will no longer issue visas on arrival to overseas tourists.
