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.