The revolution in Egypt may have been good for democracy, but for the country's tourism industry, it was a huge blow, according to one tour operator.
The violent images of men on horseback storming Cairo's Tahrir Square armed with whips - among the most emblematic scenes from the 18-day revolt - not only galvanized the anti-government movement, leading to former president Hosni Mubarak's ouster after 18 days of protests, but also scared away visitors who normally tour the Great Pyramids on horses and camels, tourist industry worker Ayman al Myonir said.
Last year, 14.7 million tourists visited Egypt, and tourism generated $11 billion in revenue, according to the Egyptian Tourist Authority in New York. Tourism in Egypt makes up about 11 percent of the gross domestic product, the tourism organization said.
The stables full of idle horses and camels cost $15 a day to feed at a time when no money is coming in, he says. To the people who care for the animals, there are mixed feelings over how the revolution played out.
"That's young boys, 17 years old and 18 years old. They want to say, 'we [are] hungry, we want to eat, we want to work.' We don't think about politics. Here we are not political people... It's how much I get, how I make business, how I can work, how I can feed my family," he said.
"I hope that inside the country - and this is message for inside Egypt - please, we try to help each other. We would like to put our hands together and we start to help each other."
I would love to see the pyramids in Egypt. Tourism will be stronger there with a pro-western government in the future. Go King Tuk!!!
It's king Tut, not King Tuk. lol
I'm glad I visited Egypt in 2009. But now I feel bad for my tour guides. I hope things will improve asap.
Tut or Tuk – who cares – insult Americans and don't expect American tourist to visit.
"It's 'Tut' you retarded American."
What was the giveaway that he was American? His Hispanic handle?
Hey Ed, What country are you from and how do you know Cesar is American ? BTW, its not proper to call him retarded you insensitive slob. It's "mentally-challenged American" not "retarded American"
Good job CNN. Way to take something good in the world and twist it into something negative to make news...
Do you honestly think the tourism business in Egypt didn't take a hit at the very beginning of their revolution? So now you are going to use current events to fabricate news?
I have an idea, why don't you fabricate stories about the iPhone on Verizon being a total flop. Oh wait, you were all ready paid by AT&T to lie about that as well..
How is this "twisted into something negative," you whiny little twit? It's facts and it's a legitimate side to the revolution. If they hadn't reported on it you'd be in here pooing yourself in outrage and screaming "Nice job ignoring all sides of the story and whitewashing reality, CNN! What happened? Your payoff money from AT&T not come through in the mail yet?! WHAAAAH!" You're just embarrassing yourself. Stop posting. Get off the internet in general.
not the sheep
King Tut was a crook. Batman was always having to capture him.
"... pro-western..."??? You M0R0N, Mubarac was "pro-western". Why do you think he was in office for 30 yrs. You probably believe the US has a democracy here don't you. Americans are so uninformed and brainwashed. The only way a democracy can work is with an educated populace which America does not have.
WATCH AND LEARN WITHOUT UNREST IN THE REST OF THE WORLD THE US WOULD HAVE NO MEANS OF GENERATING MONEY FOR THE WAR MACHINE THE CALL THE ECONOMY
Tur, Tuk, or whatever.. it could well be a typo. I do that all the time. Comments online don't need to go through rigorous grammar or spelling reviews.
While, I understand the plight of these tour guides, I really don't quite follow why they thought they could tear into crowds. Why couldn't they just ask the leaders of the protesters for some temporary help?
The pyramids are greatly overrated. Just look at some picture of them instead and save yourself the expense and trouble of visiting a crowded, noisy, dirty country, full of thieves and beggars - and that was before the revolution. They have all these dudes riding around on camels at the pyramids; did you know that when the pyramids were built, during the time of the pharaohs, there were no camels in Egypt at all? Why do you suppose there are no engravings of camels on any ancient Egyptian artifact - go ahead, look for one! The whole camels-pyramids thing is a phony tourist gimmick. When you go to the pyramids, flocks of dirty little yard apes will follow you around, trying to sell you little plastic camels made in China. And older yard apes try to get you to sit on their camel "because you are my friend" and then they ask you (the friend) for 40 pounds. It's just ridiculous. Go somewhere else. CNN even had an article here a while back and the pyramids were ranked 3rd on a list of 12 as the most overrated tourist destinations in the world (the Louvre/Eiffel Tower were #1).
Unfortunately, the same guys that are riding the camels through the protesters are the same ones who work the pyramids and are moaning about what the uprising has done to tourism. It's not necesarily consistent, nor does it have to make any sense. And yes, it is King Tut.
Unfortunately, the same guys that are riding the camels through the protesters are the same ones who work the pyramids and are moaning about what the uprising has done to tourism. It's not necesarily consistent, nor does it have to make any sense.
Or it could go the other way. How many westerners jump at the chance to visit Iran.
Do you REALLY think they will have a pro-western government? They HATE America. Didn't you see them on TV telling the reporters that? They hate us.They hate freedom. (I have heard them say it). I doubt we see much change and there isno way in hell I would go there. Or to any Muslim country. EVER
Congratulations to people of Egypt on their freedom. I think this will inspire some other countries to get free from shackles of dictatorship like yaman, china and few other African nations who are facing the same menace.
I think it's King Tux.
I kind of feel sorry for the horses..............do u see the scars on the horses...........I lived in Egypt and animal cruelty will never allow me to go back.........the way these people treat animals especially donkeys is horrible!!
If you think rioting in the streets in an Arab country = pro western government – you may be in for a big surprise.
Take a look at Iran, Iraq, Turkey for starters.
11 Billion bucks, dam! Lots of dough.
"grinberg" reports about the tourism industry, without mentioning the fact that mubarak's fortune is largely invested in tourism for the well-heeled class, such as wall street crowd..... go figure.
Gee ya think? What Genius thought up this story.
APES
When will the new president for Egypt be appointed by Obama? I can't wait
Sadly,these awesome Egyptian treasures are being looted as we blog... .
That is truly a loss to their culture as well as to the world. I hope the military can provide proper security for Egypt's national treasures.
Ummm... no. The looting was for one hour on one day, it was by pro-government agents out to discredit the protestors, and it was immediately stopped. Today has been wall-to-wall coverage of the military and protestors peacefully sweeping up the streets and restoring the order of things. Just what frigging site *do* you get your news from?
Probably Fox News
Great...one more thing the U.S. gvt will get wide in the ass and send aid in the form of more tax payers dollars.
great reply !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
F #### K EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would be honored to take a tour of egypt.. from anyone that spent their time in the square!!
Relax everyone..Tut,Tuk,Tums..oranges..apples,he was trying to make a genuine point re:tourism. we will be lucky to see these treasures now! ... .
tis a sad sad day.... me's a needa thata money..
that's such a selfish way of thinking...the countries dictator got overthrown, and they're thinking about themselves?
Tuk this!!
I think Obama should appoint himself president of Egypt and get out of the USA. We'd all be better off.
Unfortunately, the loss of tourist income will frustrate Egyptians leading to more unrest and radicalization – militants always dominate the liberal community. Since America is moving in that direction, America should be happy until chaos hits.
Aww, who's a cute li'l Teabagger? Who's a tough li'l internet warrior? You are! Yes you are! rrrrRRRF! You're just so cute I could eat you up like a biscuit!
Liberals are militant? Where do you get this idea? Most of my friends are conservative, and they all own guns and would shoot at anything that scared them.
Hey Ed:
It's these retarded Americans who put 1 billion a year in to that camel jockey army Egypt has.
Lucky you can say what you wrote. If this was the Mubarek's govt., someone would be knocking down your door
and jump starting your gonads with a car battery. So don't trash America OK?