Egypt to fine its own traders $560 USD for harassing tourists

The Egyptian parliament has approved a law fining anyone pestering tourists at the top archaeological sites in the country.

 

Egypt has passed a new law which will fine touts and traders 10,000 Egyptian Pounds ($560 USD) if they are seen to be harassing tourists.

 

The new bill states that anyone dealing with tourists “with the intention of begging or promoting, offering or selling a good or service” will be breaking the law.

 

Local vendors have denied there is a problem with over zealous traders.

 

Oscar Saleh, who offers camel rides near the Great Pyramid of Giza, told The Guardian newspaper: “Go visit the Egyptian Museum, go visit the pyramids – no one will bother you.”

 

In contrast, The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns its citizens: “There is a risk that tourists at high-profile sites like the Giza Pyramids may be confronted aggressively for money or business.”

 

Since Egypt’s 2011 revolution, the number of tourists visiting the country has dwindled.

 

In 2010, over 15 million tourists visited Egypt. This number plummeted to 6.3 million in 2015.