Islamist parties' threat to ban alcohol, bikinis can hamper Egypt's tourism

London, Dec 30 (ANI): The popularity of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, which is expected to win a majority in Egypt's new parliament, has left the country's tourist industry fearing, as they have threatened a crackdown on alcohol and bikinis.

The Brotherhood has said tourists can do without alcohol while ultra-conservative Salafist candidates have taken it a step further by demanding a ban on all alcohol sales.

Egypt's planned crackdown on booze and bikinis could hamper the tourism industry, the Daily Mail reports.

They have also called for segregating Egypt's beaches by sex and banning revealing swimwear.

Political unrest and violence have kept tourists away from this and other Egyptian landmarks since the fall of former president, Hosni Mubarak.

Officials say the number of visitors this holiday season is down by more than one-third compared to the same time last year.

Hisham Zaazou, the senior assistant tourism minister, said: "These are irresponsible statements in my opinion that, even if said by responsible people, I believe they do not understand the set-up of the industry and the dynamics of it."

"More than three-quarters of all visitors to Egypt are from Europe. They expect to be able to enjoy the beach as they would at home," he said. (ANI)

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