Tourist visas will more than double in price to USD 60 for single entry and USD 70 for multiple entry, up from USD 25, according to Al Shorouk. The Foreign Ministry had originally wanted to raise prices effective in March, but Prime Minister Sherif Ismail has decreed that it will go into effect in July, Youm7 reports. Tourism industry players claimed they were not informed of the decision ahead of time, and Egyptian Tourism Federation head Karim Mohsen said the federation has already received calls from international tour operators regarding the move, adding that he expects bookings to take a hit in the coming period, Al Borsa reports. Rep. Mohamed Badawy and former head of the Chamber of Tourism Companies Hossam El Shaer also criticized the move, saying it would deal a “lethal blow” to Egypt’s tourism if implemented, Al Shorouk reports. Price-sensitive travel to the Red Sea has recently been on the upswing.

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