South Sudan angles for Egyptian tourism with first five-star hotel

CAIRO — Egypt has rolled out its first tourism project in South Sudan's capital, Juba, including a five-star hotel and an international conference center.

Former head of the Egyptian Tourism Federation and former Chairman of Tourism Chambers Elhamy El-Zayat praised the step in a statement to Al-Monitor. He indicated that South Sudan offers many investment opportunities in various sectors and this project will provide accommodation for those involved. He explained that this project will also bolster tourism cooperation between Cairo and Juba.

Egypt is also working on energy projects, a large-scale vegetation-clearing project in the Bahr al-Ghazal region in southern Sudan and solar-powered water treatment plants in several regions in South Sudan. Three wells were dug in the villages of Kabu, Kabori and Rajaf in western South Sudan, and work is underway to set up seven plants in rural areas, 20 to 30 kilometers from the capital. Each plant features a well 100 meters deep and a 36-cubic-meter reservoir to serve local residents. Six underground wells were dug in the vicinity of the capital.

Zayat added, “As a country that relies on tourism as a major part of its national income, Egypt has gained great experience in the field of tourism and organizing international conferences. Transferring Cairo’s experience to South Sudan will create more opportunities for South Sudan to break into the field of hotels and tourism in general, which will offer youths in Juba many job opportunities.”