| المستخلص: |
From Bethlehem to the Sinai, through Gaza, to reach the ancient city of Farma, considered the ''door to Egypt'', as it was the ancient road connecting the land of Pharaohs to Syria and Palestine - this route is part of the long voyage conducted in Egypt by the Holy Family, according to historic sources from the Orthodox Coptic Church (Al-Ahram Weekly, 2003). The voyage continued to Bastah, near the current city of Zagazig, to Samanud and Sakha (between Damietta and Rosetta). Then the trip moved on from Wadi Natrun to Mataryah, near Cauri, and Haret Zuwaila, to seek refuge in the fortress of Babylon Fortress, in ancient Cairo. Finally, Maadi, a southern district of today's capital of Egypt, was reached to navigate towards Upper Egypt and stop in Manf, Bahnasa, Samalut (Gebel El Teir), El Ashrunain, Deir (monastery) Al Muharraq and Assiut (Deir el Athraé and Deir Dronka). This long journey, or part of it, has become a touristic itinerary, which the tourism ministry and the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate have chosen to promote together. This is not the first time that Egyptian authorities have tried to promote Christian Egypt as a valid option among the most classic itineraries. Already in 1999, a similar operation was attempted, though it proved unsuccessful. This time, however, the tourism ministry has really invested in the operation, in a first. Apart from Catholic sources - only the gospel of Mathew - Coptic sources are clear on the different parts of the journey - in particular the memorial of the 23rd patriarch of Alexandria, Theophilos (384-412) who talks about the revelation of the Virgin, who appeared in a dream and told him about the itinerary taken by the Family through Egypt to escape from the slaughter of children ordered by Herod to kill Jesus (the ''massacre of the innocents''). From this new itinerary, connected to places where churches, sanctuaries and monasteries were built, the government expects some 500,000 visitors a year. ''There is already an imposing number of local visitors'', Father Rafic Greiche, spokesman of the Catholic Church in Egypt, told ANSA. Thousands of Coptic pilgrims visit, especially during the most important festivities. ''The real challenge is to attract pilgrims from abroad. And it is possible to increase the number of visitors only by involving Catholics in this initiative''. The main issue remains security. In spite of constant terror attacks in Sinai and Cairo, as well as in other areas of the country, the priest assured, without hiding current difficulties, that ''the situation has improved compared to the past, both for security and the climate we breathe''. (ANSAmed) The researcher performed afield study, which is interviews with ( 10) experts and principals who occupy important positions in the tourism sector, furthermore, ( 10 ) directors of the corporations who works in the field of religious tourism, some specialists in the field of marketing, and tour guides, as some of such experts, had answered the inquires provided in the questionnaire from which prepared by the researcher in respect of the topic of the study.
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