Brexit is responsible for the continuing flight ban from the UK to Sharm El Sheikh, Gerald Lawless, chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council, told a conference in London, Simon Calder writes for The Independent. Lawless says former Prime Minister David Cameron was “about to end the ban — but his resignation after the EU referendum put paid to the plan” and The Independent got a separate confirmation of this story from a senior travel industry source. Tourism Minister Yehia Rashed says the timing now is “perfect” for British tourists to return to Sharm El Sheikh.

The Tourism Ministry is focused on promoting “alternative” destinations including Marsa Alam and Hurghada as Egypt anticipates the travel ban on Sharm El Sheikh remaining in place for the foreseeable future, Rashed tells The Telegraph. The North Coast is also among the destinations being promoted among British tourists. The minister said that the government has tightened security in all tourist destinations, not just Sharm El Sheikh, and that tourists are safe across the entire country. “I would definitely address the British authorities to look into the [flight ban] decision because it is no longer valid,” Rashed tells the newspaper. “People are in Sharm, hundreds of thousands and [mns], so it’s about time to revisit the decision.”

Separately, travel company TUI announced it plans on investing in hotel and services projects in Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El Sheikh, Al Shorouk reports. Some of the projects are expected to be completed next year, TUI representatives told Rashed during a meeting in London on Thursday. No further details were provided on the nature of the projects or the expected investment value.