Jul 16, 2018

Tightened security measures in the Sinai Peninsula are hurting tourism in the popular mountains of the South Sinai governorate, as the Egyptian army works to prevent terrorist attacks. Now some politicians are trying to loosen the measures in the south of the peninsula, which is considered safer.

Islamist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have plagued North Sinai governorate for years. In November, hundreds of people, including dozens of children, were killed in an attack on a northern Sinai mosque. Egypt's armed forces then announced Feb. 9 that they were launching a comprehensive military operation in the peninsula. The army closed several mountain trails and banned SUVs, which are often used by tourists for off-road trips, but are also used by armed Islamist groups in the north. The military is still on high alert.

Attiya Moussa Gabali, a parliament member for South Sinai, presented a proposal July 4 to Prime Minister Mostafa Kemal Madbouly and Lt. Gen. Mohamed Zaki, the defense minister and commander in chief of the armed forces. The proposal acknowledges the army's efforts against terrorism, but also presented a case for easing restrictions in the south. He recommended allowing SUVs in tourist cities after the vehicles are approved by security authorities and checked every year for proper licensing.

“Mountain tourism is one of the most important types of tourism in South Sinai [and] requires SUVs for off-road and rugged tracks inside mountains," he told Al-Monitor. “What I suggested to parliament is that we reallow the use of SUVs under the supervision of the security authorities, by [installing equipment] that would allow the authorities to track them everywhere in the valleys and mountainous roads. This is an attempt at reviving the mountain tourism in South Sinai, which has unparalleled beautiful landscape inside the mountains."

The south has a series of mountains that attract tourists from all over the world and is famous for long hiking trails, especially in the mountains of Saint Catherine and Mount Sinai. Hikes and off-road trips are still allowed in the area of St. Catherine’s Monastery, but the tight security measures require tourists to walk within a security lane, and they are only allowed to camp on the mountain or stay in the monastery for one night.