Minister: Russian plane crash harmed tourism in Egypt

The crash of the Russian plane over North Sinai last year had badly affected the tourism movement in Egypt and driven away four million tourists in a moment, Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou said on Thursday.

In late October, the Russian plane crashed over Sinai, 23 minutes after its take-off from Sharm El Sheikh, leaving all 224 people on board dead.

"The incident posed major security, political and tourist challenges in Egypt," Zaazou told a press conference in Berlin.

"Millions of Egyptians are working in full safety and security across the country," he said.

However, he added, the international media conveys a gloomy picture about the situation in Egypt.

"Egypt is an important tourist destination," he stressed.

Egypt revised all measures of securing its airports, he said.

Source: MENA