Globe-trotter wants world to see Egypt

(The Standard P.12  23 Nov 2012) With a dream to promote Egyptian culture, Ahmed Haggagovic has visited 94 countries, each time raising his nation's flag.

The 28-year-old adventurer wants to publicize(宣傳) his country and its ancient civilization(古代的文明) to reverse(徹底改變) declining(下跌) tourist arrivals.

"I want to let people know about the ancient country, which has rich history and culture," Haggagovic said during a five-day visit to Hong Kong.

"I hope I can help bring new ideas to the country to boost(推動) tourism when I return to Egypt," he added.

Haggagovic's globe-trotting(環球觀光旅行者) over the past five years has taken him to the extremes - he's been to poles - and nations in Africa, South America and Asia, including China, Japan and Mongolia.

His next stop will be Australia as he continues towards a goal of seeing all the countries in the world by the time he is 30.

Haggagovic has shot videos and posted them on YouTube and posted pictures on Facebook. He plans to publish a book to share his experiences.

The young Egyptian said he started yearning(渴望) to travel after his grandfather encouraged him at a young age to explore the world.

So he made a "bucket list," (人生目標清單) which included visiting places such as New York and the Forbidden (禁止的) City in Beijing as well as working abroad - which he did when he was just 14.

The list was written on a piece of paper, which is now tattered. But he treasures it mightily and takes it along on all his trips.

As a computer science and information systems graduate, Haggagovic said he likes to communicatewith people.

In tune with that and his aim to boost tourism to Egypt, he believes a carnival (嘉年華會) similar to that in Brazil can be held in Tahrir Square (解放廣場)- the heart of Cairo(開羅) and recently the heart of revolution(.革命運動)

Haggagovic is happy that his mother, who did not at first support his travels - she wanted him to have a regular life - "cries with happiness" at the prospect (盼望)of him returning home after living another part of his dream.

To finance his travels, he had to sell a flat, but he has since received support from Egypt's foreign affairs ministry(外交部), the national airline, the national telecom company and a leading newspaper.

Mohamed Fahmy, Egypt's consul(領事)-general for Hong Kong and Macau, said the foreign affairs ministry supported Haggagovic because he promotes Egypt's interaction (互動) with the world.

Fahmy also said Egypt hopes to foster tourism and cultural ties(聯繫) with the SAR, so Haggagovic's visit to promote friendship and understanding was a big help.

Winnie Chong