Ikhwanweb :: The Muslim Brotherhood Official English Website

Dr. Tarek Wafik, member of the Higher Committee of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), rejected as totally unfounded rumors claiming that the FJP will neglect and destroy tourism, and will restrict the freedom of visiting tourists.

"This talk has no basis in truth at all. The tourists’ freedom, dignity and Egyptian hospitality towards them are indisputable rights guaranteed for all visitors. We will not disrespect or contravene that right. On the contrary, the FJP is now endeavoring to improve tourist services, which deteriorated significantly, contributing to the decline in income from tourism. Moreover, the FJP seeks to develop cultural tourism, which fell to a mere 15% of capacity before the revolution.

"All FJP press releases, speeches and statements about tourism affirm that this sector is of great importance to the Egyptian economy, and that there will be no marginalization of tourism in any way at all, as is circulated in rumors these days."

Dr. Wafik further said that the tourism sector has a direct impact on the Egyptian economy in the short term, "Our goal, the FJP goal is always to send messages of reassurance to the tourism sector. There is absolutely no justification for any concern. We strongly support the tourism sector. It will only be affected in a good positive way".

Dr. Wafik pointed that President Mohamed Morsi, on the same day election results were announced, launched a powerful and reassuring message to the tourism sector: "Our goals for the tourism sector are a very significant, because it is the locomotive of economic growth in the near term. There is a plan in place for advancing and boosting the tourism sector, which was neglected in the past, until Egypt's tourism status deteriorated to totally unacceptable levels".