Sunday 22 Dec
Sherif Fathi, the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, met with Peng Jianhu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yangtze Cruises Company, one of the leading Chinese companies specializing in the construction, operation, and management of river and ocean cruise ships globally. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the ministry and the company, and explored the company's future plans for operating in Egypt.
The meeting was attended by Assem
Hanafi, the Egyptian Ambassador to China, Amr Al-Qadi, CEO of the Egyptian
General Authority for Tourism Promotion, and Ambassador Khaled Tharwat, Advisor
to the Minister for International Relations and General Supervisor of the
General Administration for International Relations and Agreements at the
ministry.
The company expressed interest in
establishing and operating multiple Nile cruise ships, leveraging China's
extensive experience in luxury cruise ship design, construction, and operation.
Minister Fathi welcomed these
proposals, emphasizing the Egyptian government's commitment to supporting such
initiatives. He assured the company of the ministry's support in obtaining
necessary permits and facilitating the project's implementation. This
collaboration is anticipated to boost Egypt's tourism sector by increasing
hotel capacity, enhancing the Nile tourism product, and attracting more Chinese
tourists. He also highlighted the strong historical ties between Egypt and
China, emphasizing the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Peng Jianhu extended an
invitation to Minister Fathi to attend the upcoming Marine and Nile Cruises
Summit in Chongqing, China. The summit will bring together industry leaders to
discuss the future of river and ocean cruising, and Egyptian tourism companies
will also be invited to participate.
This meeting took place during Minister Fathi's official visit to Beijing, where he also attended the COTTIM International Tourism Exhibition and held meetings with various Chinese and international stakeholders in the tourism industry.
