CAIRO — Dozens of initiatives have been introduced by the Egyptian Interior Ministry, politicians, public figures, artists and media outlets to breathe life back into the tourism sector of Sharm el-Sheikh, which relies largely on Russian tourism. The efforts come after Russia, Britain and France decided to suspend their flights to the city and call back their citizens in the wake of the Russian plane crash in the Sinai Peninsula on Oct. 31.

El-Watan newspaper described in its “I’m going to Sharm” campaign that the decision by Russia and Britain to ban flights to Sharm el-Sheikh is a conspiracy against Egypt. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry lashed out at the Western countries, mainly the United States and Britain, which had announced that the plane was likely brought down by an act of sabotage before the results of the Egyptian and Russian investigations were published.

Egypt’s El-Watan newspaper had started the “I’m going to Sharm” initiative on Nov. 6, a few hours after Britain called on its citizens to return home. Britain was the first country to send airplanes to fly its citizens back from Sharm el-Sheikh without waiting for the results of the investigation. Eight flights were scheduled to transport the 20,000 British tourists from Sharm el-Sheikh, according to the statements of the Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation Hussam Kamel.

On Nov. 7, Russia followed suit and sent 44 planes to transport its citizens from the city. On Nov. 7, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Federal Agency for Tourism told Russia Today that there are currently 79,000 Russian tourists in Egyptian resorts, and they will return to their country in several stages.