5000 tourists arrive in Sharm el-Sheikh

Four ships bearing 5,000 tourists from various European countries docked Saturday morning at the Sharm el-Sheikh Seaport ahead of New Year’s celebrations. Red Sea Port Authority chief, Abdelqader Gaballah, said 15,000 – 20,000 more tourists were expected to arrive over the next 48 hours, coming from European ports directly to Sharm el-Sheikh without detours. This, Gaballah said, indicates Europe’s faith in Egypt’s security. The tourists were received by Gaballah along with Major General Khaled Fouda, the Governor of South Sinai, port director Captain Tarek el-Gammal and a number of local executive and popular leaders. The arriving tourists were given flowers and enjoyed a folk dance performance on the pier.