What can be done to make Luxor a more pleasant experience for visitors?

Luxor needs tourists.  Unfortunately, tourism is its only business.  The Arab Spring is wonderful for the future of Egypt as it will eventually bring democracy but it has also made Egypt a place where tourists are nervous of visiting.   The time while Luxor is quiet should be used to implement all the things that would make Luxor a more pleasant experience for visitors so that they will recommend it to their friends.

Before you can even think about putting things right you first have to identify what is wrong.  The last Governor (temporary post) made it his priority to ask ex-pat residents about how Luxor could be improved.  This did not prove entirely successful for several reasons.  Firstly, the target was to make Luxor more pleasant for visitors not particularly for ex-pats who were mainly disillusioned with their home countries and brought that disillusionment with them.  Secondly, he was not consulting an organised group who had studied the matter.  The group was an ad-hoc one comprised almost entirely of those with self-interest.  The people who should have been approached were what few visitors Luxor actually had.

Everyone complains about the hassle in Luxor.  Why does this hassle occur?  It is not always through greed.  People have to make a living and, where there is a great competition in any field, ‘marketing’ can become aggressive.  The way to fix this is for the Council to address the problem directly with the people that cause the problem.  A short survey would quickly indicate where the problem is worst. Another problem is the mess that comprises central Luxor.  It was recently announced that the Avenue of Sphinxes would officially open in October or November.  What they really means is that a short span of the intended 3km walk might be ready by then.  However, what about the rest of it?  Are they really going to show the world the gaping holes and illegal building that mars their achievement?  The projects that were started before the revolution have to be finished if tourists are expected to enjoy them – and pay for the privilege of seeing them.

Numerous Facebook pages have been set up showing a positive image of Luxor.  These are commendable but they are not always truthful.  In an effort to attract more visitors, honesty has sometimes been abandoned and an attempt made to completely whitewash the troubles of the early part of the year.  Prospective visitors are not that naive.  A more balanced approach could be adopted with the visitor given the true facts of the situation and then asked to make up their own minds when they visit.  The situation in Egypt and Luxor is described more factually on the Foreign Office Website.  All tourists should look at the recommendations before they book their holiday.  Remember that the visitors are on holiday and they have a right to expect to enjoy themselves. 

Shortly after the Revolution there was an event in Luxor that was supposedly designed to bring more tourists back to Luxor. However, it was ill-timed as it was seen by the tourists that were there rather than those that were not but might one day come. A similar event might be advantageous in entertaining visitors and increasing their pleasure at a time when there are more people there to see it. This event was ostensibly 'non-profit making' but no accounts were produced. However, if future more successful events follow the same pattern and make charity donations this could be very helpful for Luxor's poorer citizens who do not benefit directly from such events.

A short questionnaire for visitors arriving at Luxor airport asking what they expect from their holiday, and another on their departure asking whether their hopes had been fulfilled might also identify where problems lie. I am sure that you can add many more items to this list.  Let us know your ideas of what can restore Luxor’s visitor numbers.

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