AP: Egypt-Luxor Airport

Mubarak reopens Luxor airport following renovations

By PAKINAM AMER,
Associated Press Writer



The reopening of the Luxor airport South of Cairo after recent renovations sets the initiative for other local projects directed at boosting the tourism industry, said Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in his opening speech early Sunday.
The airport, which cost around 450 million pounds and covers an area of 50,000 meters, can now accommodate 4000 passenger per hour (as opposed to 800 before the renovation) and has a VIP hall.
In his one-day visit Mubarak held a meeting with members of the Supreme Council for Tourism, after his approval to changes in the council's high board members the day before, along with 200 other tourism experts and tourism company owners.
In his speech, Mubarak said that the Egyptian tourism industry,which harbors 10% of the Egyptian work force, has experienced a"break through" since 1995. He also said that this development will have positive effects in terms of encouraging foreign investment.
Mubarak said that the government is also interested in rediscovering the Egyptian North Coast overlooking the Mediterranean by developing large-scale touristic projects and encouraging investment there.