Egypt’s minister of tourism has confirmed that Russia, which provides Egypt with the largest number of tourists annually, has lifted a travel ban  to Egypt put in place at the outset of the revolution.

Russia’s ban was immensely significant for Egypt’s tourism industry. The number of Russian tourists visiting Egypt in 2010 alone was estimated to be 2,855,723, accounting for 25,037,045 tourist nights and making it the number one country in providing Egypt with tourists.

Egypt’s ministry of tourism sent a delegation to Moscow’s International Tourism Exhibition between 12 and 15 March and held meetings with Russia’s ambassador in Egypt as part of its efforts to lift the ban.