Pursuits
Terror Attack or Not, Jet Crash Is a Disaster for Egypt Tourism
- Egypt suspends $68 million advertising campaign after crash
- Tourism a pivotal part of President El-Sisi's turnaround plan
Tourists play in the water at the Regency Plaza resort on Nov. 5, in Sharm ElSheikh, Egypt.
Photographer: David Degner/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Egypt last year spent millions of dollars splashing images of its ancient pyramids and beach resorts over London buses and billboards in New York to boost its vital but ailing tourist industry.
Foreign visitors put off by years of upheaval following the Arab Spring revolt were gingerly returning when an airliner packed with Russian holidaymakers smashed into the desert on Oct. 31 after taking off from the Red Sea town of Sharm el-Sheikh, killing all on board. Even if growing speculation that Islamists bombed the plane is eventually ruled out, the damage is already done, say tourism experts.