14-11-2016

The Journey of the Holy Family to Egypt

Reham Samir Director of Egyptian Tourist Office- Benelux

Utrecht , October 7th, 2016

The Power of Religious Tourism

• One of the most important and the fastest growing segments in the travel Industry. ( UNWTO Figures: 300 million tourists visit the world’s major religious sites each year) • One of the most important sources of income in many countries. • Religious Tourism is more stable versus regular tourism.

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What are the opportunities for the Government of Egypt to boost religious tourism?

• Egypt has played an important role in the history of Christianity’s Holy Family, as well as in the roots of Judaism and Islam. • There are many sites that are of great significance to all of the three major monotheistic religions, such as; (Al Moalaka church 7th century , Ibn Touloun Mosque 9th century, Saint Catherine byzantine Monastery 6th century – 2nd worldwide after Vatican to host the most ancient Christian manuscripts).

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Who is the first tourist visit Egypt ?

Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to kill Him." ( Mattew 2:13)

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Map of the Holy Family Route

THE HOLY FAMILY AT EL-ZARANIK AND FARMA

• El-Zaraniq, west of El-Arish

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The Holy Family At The Town of Mostorod

Route of the Holy Family

Veil of the Sanctuary - Virgin Mary Virgin Mary Church - Belbeis, Sharqiah. Church, Belbeis

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THE HOLY FAMILY AT SAKHA TOWN

THE HOLY FAMILY AT WADI EL NATROUN

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THE HOLY FAMILY AT MATAREYA & AIN SHAMS & ZEITOUN THE HOLY

St. Mary's Tree - Matariyah, • THE HOLY FAMILY AT Cairo ZEITOUN

THE HOLY FAMILY WITHIN THE AREA OF OLD CAIRO

• IN CENTRAL CAIRO

 The Church of the Virgin Mary in Zuweila Alley.

 The Church of St George the Martyr.

 The Church of St. Mercurios Abu Sefein (the Two Swords).

 The Convent of the Virgin Mary.

 The Convent of St George.

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Old Cairo An icon from the Church of Abu Sefein.

The Holy family in Maadi

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Minia

Viel of Sanctuary - El Barsha Monastery Church - Minia

Assiut

• Virgin Mary Monastery - Gabal (Mount) Dronka.

An icon at the Virgin Mary Monastery - Gabal Dronka.

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Efforts Taken to introduce Religious Tourism

• Establishing a committee that responsible for touring the sites on the route to investigate whether they are accessible or not, whether there are enough facilities for tourists, whether the number of hotels is adequate. It is on that basis that we decide which sites should be put on the official itinerary, and to make sure that these sites meet the expectations of the customer. • Several restorations and conservation works at some of the most significant historical landmarks related to the route of the Holy Family in Egypt was conducted.

Efforts Taken to Introduce Religious Tourism

• Holy Family Route, have been launched on October 21st, 2014. • A new brochure describing the route taken by the Holy Family has been published by the Ministry of Tourism, with the approval of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and it has already been translated into several languages. • The proposed trip, which will take from 5-7 days, will follow the path where the Holy Family reportedly traveled to.

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Efforts Taken to Introduce Religious Tourism

• Training sessions will be hold for priests in churches and monasteries as part of the program to prepare them for tourists. • The ministry will coordinate with the Egyptian General Tourist Guide Syndicate to update the information and references related to the Christian shrines that the Holy Family visited.

Thank You

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