'India by the Nile' to boost tourism in Egypt

To revive the country's tourism industry, which has suffered the most following the 2011 revolution, the third edition of the India by the Nile festival is being held here with a message that Egypt is safe for tourists.

India's ambassador Navdeep Suri told media that Egypt has been going through a rough patch and tourism, which is the mainstay of the country's economy, has been hit the most. The festival opens on Monday.

"We are using culture as an argument to send the message that Egypt is safe," said Suri, the brain behind the festival organised by the Indian embassy in partnership with Egypt's ministry of culture and tourism as well as the Cairo Opera House.

Egypt witnessed the toppling over of two governments in three years which resulted in the decline in tourist footfalls as many countries issued advisories to their nationals against visiting it.

The festival (March 30 to April 17) will be inaugurated by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

In addition to screening Bachchan's films and holding interactive sessions with him, the festival will also promote yoga, Indian handicrafts and folk dances among the locals.

"The last two editions of the festival were very successful but this year we decided to rope in an icon to further boost the country's tourism," said Suri.

Bachchan has a huge fan following in the country and nine out of ten Egyptians know him and admire him, claimed Suri.

(Rahul Vaishnavi can be contacted at rahul.v@ians.in)