Egypt shelves plans to introduce entry fees at Red Sea resort

Egypt’s Environment Ministry has exempted guests at resorts located along the Red Sea from paying entry fees to nature reserves in the area.

There was a lot of hue and cry among boat owners and scuba diving centers in Egypt’s prime diving spot when the Red Sea Protected Area announced early last month that it would begin collecting entry fees from visitors to nature reserves.

However, several owners of tourist boats and diving centers in Hurghada had blasted the ministry’s decision and threatened to stop arranging diving trips, according to Egypt Independent.

The Chamber of Diving and Watersports (CDWS) argued that increasing costs for tourists coming to Egypt will send them to competing tourist destinations.

The November increases imposed a $10 fee for diving and snorkeling yachts from 17 to 20 meters long, $20 on yachts from 20 to 25 meters long, $40 on yachts from 25 to 30 meters long and $60 on yachts over 30 meters long.

Tourism accounts for 15% of Egypt’s GDP.