Eid week is the last chance for domestic tourism activity before the start of the school year
Higher operating costs behind the sharp 40% rise in hotel prices, with El Gouna the most expensive
By Akram Medhat
Only a few days remain before the last chance for Egyptian families to spend their holidays on leisure trips to the various tourist cities, ahead of the new school year, which begins about two weeks after the week of the blessed Eid al-Adha, making it the peak of the domestic tourism season.
Tourism companies and hotels confirmed that there is heavy demand from Egyptians for Red Sea cities on Eid al-Adha trips, especially Hurghada and nearby areas, led by Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna and Makadi, along with a strong trend toward Marsa Alam. Egyptians' main summer destinations, Marsa Matrouh and Alexandria, are also seeing booking rates of up to 100% during the Eid week, despite hotel prices rising sharply compared with last year.
Hurghada First on the Red Sea
In this context, Sameh Abdel Moneim, regional director of marketing and sales for the Three Corners hotel group, said the Eid al-Adha holiday week is marked by high occupancy rates reaching 100% in some hotels from September 1 to 8, especially in Hurghada, El Gouna and Marsa Alam, where the group operates 12 hotels. Egyptians account for between 25% and 75% of demand, depending on the hotel's category and therefore its price, which must suit the budget of the local tourist.
Abdel Moneim told "Travel Yalla News" that prices have risen by up to double compared with last year, noting that the increase during the Eid period is about 15% compared with before or after the peak booking period, especially as it is the last long holiday period before the start of the school year.
He explained that double room prices in 4- and 5-star hotels in Hurghada range from EGP 900 to 2,500 per night, and in Marsa Alam from EGP 1,200 to 3,000, while El Gouna is the most expensive, ranging from EGP 2,000 to 3,500, depending on the type of booking, either breakfast only or all-inclusive (three meals and drinks). He stressed that the prices announced by tourism companies in their programs do not differ from those obtained when the customer books directly with the hotel.
Aquapark Hotels Attract Families
For his part, Moataz Sedky, head of Travco Holidays and a member of the general assembly of the Chamber of Tourism Companies, said there is strong demand for Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna and Makadi, more than for Hurghada, despite their prices, which are exaggerated in some cases. He noted that hotels offering all-inclusive stays and aquaparks are Egyptians' first demand and the most attractive for families.
He added that Sharm El-Sheikh has not drawn strong demand from Egyptians because it has become a cheap tourist destination, and its low prices are no longer attractive due to the decline in the level of service in hotels, except for those managed by international companies, as they have service standards they cannot compromise on.
On another note, Egyptians' bookings for trips abroad have focused on France, the Spanish city of Barcelona, and Beirut, which is marked by last-minute bookings, he said, pointing to demand for Turkey despite the difficulty of obtaining a visa due to security procedures.
In a related context, Nabil Nagy, domestic tourism manager at Travco Holidays, explained that this year's domestic tourism season is distinguished by the two Eids falling at the beginning and end of the summer holiday. Egyptians' demand for trips has therefore extended from Eid al-Fitr, which saw heavy bookings, to Eid al-Adha, which has collided with higher prices following the fuel price increase, which had a direct impact on tourist transport and hotels.
He added that prices have risen by 40% compared with last year and that Egyptians are opting for 5-star hotels, noting that El Gouna is the most expensive, with a night costing up to EGP 3,500, while in Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh a room ranges from EGP 2,500 to 2,800 per night on half board (breakfast and dinner). These areas do not sell all-inclusive stays, unlike Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh.
He noted that demand is higher for Hurghada and nearby areas because they are better promoted and of a higher standard as a result of the influx of foreigners, while Sharm El-Sheikh has not received many bookings due to the lack of tourist traffic, which has led to a decline in the level of hotel service and neglect of maintenance, as highlighted by the media. In addition, it is difficult to reach by road, since any traveler is required to have a confirmed hotel booking to cross the Martyr Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel.
He continued: "Sahl Hasheesh is distinguished by its tranquility and as an escape from crowds and traffic, and most of its hotels are not family hotels because they have no aquaparks. Marsa Alam is also a discovery for Egyptians, who have begun to overcome the barrier of distance and the long road."
The domestic tourism manager at Travco Holidays said most bookings are for bus trips rather than flights, as the price of a plane ticket has become equivalent to double the cost of the hotel stay.
Sharm El-Sheikh the Cheapest
On the other hand, Nasser Roshdy, training manager at the Maritim Jolie Ville Royal Peninsula hotel, said the sharp drop in prices at most hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh was the main reason it attracted segments of the Egyptian public unaccustomed to staying in hotels, which has made it Egyptians' main summer resort at present, as they account for about 70% of hotel occupancy.
He added that average hotel occupancy currently stands at 70% and is expected to reach 100% during the Eid al-Adha week, noting that double room prices at some hotels have fallen to only EGP 300, while other hotels still maintain mid-range prices because they are committed to distinguished service standards, especially those run by international hotel companies.
In a related context, Reda Gomaa, evening operations manager at the Tropitel Naama Bay hotel, explained that Eid al-Adha is marked by higher prices compared with normal days, with a night in a double room on an all-inclusive basis at the hotel costing EGP 2,200 from September 1 to 5, the peak of the Eid holiday, compared with EGP 1,600 on other days. Average prices at 5-star hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh range from EGP 900 to 1,400 per night, he said, noting that the hotel maintains its level of service and sells at high prices to attract Arab and foreign guests.
Matrouh and the North Coast
Meanwhile, Tony Ghazal, a hotel owner in Matrouh and former board member of the Chamber of Hotel Establishments, said hotel occupancy in Marsa Matrouh and the North Coast reaches 100% during the days of Eid al-Adha, especially as it is considered the last long holiday right before the start of the school year. Demand is currently relatively quieter ahead of the holiday, even though prices have risen by between 20% and 40% due to higher operating costs compared with last year.
He revealed that the price of a double room per night for two people on half board in Marsa Matrouh ranges between EGP 1,500 and 2,000 at 3-star level, and between EGP 3,000 and 4,000 at 4- and 5-star level.
He continued: "The North Coast is the most expensive, as a room costs no less than EGP 3,000 and up to EGP 8,000 per night, for two people in a double room on half board at 4- or 5-star level."
On renting summer apartments in Marsa Matrouh, he explained that a night costs no less than EGP 300 for apartments far from the sea, while those overlooking the beaches exceed EGP 1,000 per night.
