Friday March 29th, 2024
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$25 Fee to Leave Egypt

Egypt has introduced a $25 fee for tourists to leave the country, in an absurd move that will probably do very little/nothing to the already floundering tourist industry.

Staff Writer

It's no secret Egypt's tourism hasn’t exactly been a blossoming flower as of late. In fact, one might compare it to a daisy put out in our current hellish heat wave, wilting and waning under the mutant sun. And one would be being generous with such a description.

Now, the few tourists who still opt to come and visit our nation will be required to pay a $25 fee when they come to leave from Cairo Airport. The decision was issued by Egypt's Aviation Ministry and the exit fee is intended to cover services provided to foreign travelers, namely, the use of the Cairo airfield. Tourism officials are split on this decision, with some calling the decision unacceptable, especially in light of the current floundering of the tourism industry, whereas others say the decision is necessary but its implementation should be delayed.

This additional fee comes soon after visa fees for tourists were increased in May, rising from $15 to $20. Because the visa increase was so slight, and the entire sum still remains one of the cheapest worldwide. Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou had said that the new price was not expected to affect the number of tourists visiting. However, with this new exit fee, tourists are essentially paying for the pleasure of leaving our country, which ironically enough, is more expensive than entering it.