Mickey Mouse cancels trip to the Pyramids

Disney denies Egyptian minister's statement: Not opening amusement park in country.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON
Micky mouse visits Giza (photo credit: REUTERS)
Micky mouse visits Giza
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Disney denied a statement by Egypt’s Investment Minister that the company is considering building its famous amusement park in Egypt.
"While Egypt is an attractive market, we have no plans for the region at this time," a Disney spokesperson said in an email to Ahram Online.
On Tuesday, Ashraf Salman, Egypt's investment minister was quoted by Egypt’s state news agency MENA as saying, "There are discussions going on between Disney International to build in Egypt its first Disney Park in the Middle East, similar to Disney France," Ahram Online reported.
Salman made the comments while attending a live Disney show at the Cairo International Convention Center.
"Having a Disney show in Egypt at the moment sends a message to the world and to foreign investors that Egypt is safe and stable," he had said.
Tourism to Egypt has plummeted as unrest has riveted the country since the downfall of former president Hosni Mubarak in early 2011.
The minister also noted that the tourism sector was bringing in 3.2 percent of the country’s GDP and employing around 12.6% of the labor force, according to the Daily News Egypt website.
Salman added that Egypt is seeking foreign investment by inviting Arab delegations, international companies, and hosting international conferences.
Meanwhile, last week, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism launched a training program for drivers of tourists after the government installed Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking on all tourist buses.
At the tourism authority, sitting above a highly-congested part of Cairo, is a control room where the movements of buses equipped with the tracking devices are closely monitored in the event of an attack, kidnapping or mechanical breakdowns that could leave tourists vulnerable.
Hundreds die and thousands are wounded every year in Egyptian road accidents, often caused by reckless driving and poor roads.
Reuters contributed to this report.