Occupancy rates rise in Egypt's Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam Investment & Tourism Association has noted a surge in tourists visiting Marsa Alam city in Egypt by up to 60 percent. President of the Association Adel Al Radi said that hotel occupancy rates have risen considerably since late 2012 and continue to increase. The south-eastern Egyptian city is famous for its coral reefs, dolphins and rare sea life. Radi told Arabstoday the association expects an increase in tourists staying at their hotel by up to 80% at the end of 2013. He added: “Once complete political stability is returned to the country, we expect the rate to further grow.” Marsa Alam is located along the Red Sea, a big attraction for diving enthusiasts from around the world. Radi asserts that the city’s rapid recovery is due to its tourist appeal. The city boasts the best tourist port in Egypt, the award-winning Marina Port Ghalib. The city also has the largest private nature reserve in the world for dolphins on the Red Sea coast. More than 5000 dolphins reside in the rare reserve. Radi claims that Marsa Alam is the future of Egypt’s tourism. The city is a service center for mining missions, but it is now beginning to evolve into one of the country’s largest tourist hotspots. Marsa Alam is comprised of two main villages. Bernice, a small village 178 kilometers south is one of the best places for medical tourism. The second is Abu al Hasan al Shazly, which has a well known Islamic center.