In times where certain groups of people or nations are often perceived negatively due to the actions of a few, “people to people” tourism has never become more important. Egypt is famous for its magical sites and history, yet its people also deserve the opportunity to be seen, speak with their own voice about their culture and forge deeper connections with foreign tourists. It is not just about discovering Egypt, but also Egyptians. In an exclusive interview with Egypt’s first female Minister of Tourism on the sidelines of the World Youth Forum in November, Rania Al Mashat explained to Egyptian Streets the details of her new “People to People” campaign to promote tourism in Egypt. Before being appointed in January 2018, Al Mashat worked as a senior economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and as a sub-governor for monetary policy at the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). Known as a global economist and recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award from the American University in Cairo, Al Mashat worked with many prominent financial institutions around the world and was named as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic…
