While 8.8 million people have already visited Egypt within the first nine months of 2012, it has been estimated that this will rise to 12 million by the end of the year, said a senior government official.

The last three months of 2012 is a strong period for visitors coming in for the famous Nile Cruises, explained Hisham Zaazou, Egypt's minister for tourism.

The reasons for these positive projections have been put down to high occupancy rates for Egypt's many hotels, with estimated visitor numbers for 2013 on track to return to the previously highs of the past few years.

Zaazou is hoping that around 15 million visitors will be welcomed into the country next year, an increase of 20 per cent.

Traditional beach resorts like Sharm-El Sheikh are always going to be popular, while a Nile cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing holidaymakers to enjoy the plethora of sights Egypt has to offer.

In fact, the winter is a great time to consider a luxury journey along the River Nile. At River Nile Cruise holidaymakers can choose from all kinds of options, so whether Luxor or Cairo is the city they find most appealing, he said.

Price is always going to be a key consideration these days and so potential visitors will be pleased to know that a winter break in Egypt provides the best value for a package deal at travel operators like One Small Step Travel, with flights available from various UK airports. – TradeArabia News Service