Walt Disney considering opening first Disney World in Middle East

Discussions are underway between Egypt, Disney International to open the park, according to country's investment minister.

By ARIEL BEN SOLOMON
Sleeping Beauty's Castle Decorated for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Sleeping Beauty's Castle Decorated for Disneyland's 50th Anniversary
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Disney is considering building its world-famous amusement park for the first time in the Middle East in Egypt, Egyptian media reported.
"There are discussions going on with Disney International to build in Egypt its first Disney Park in the Middle East, similar to Disney France," Ashraf Salman, Egypt's investment minister, was quoted as saying by Egypt’s state news agency MENA, 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 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.