Our guide, Sultan, says it took two years for the tourism industry to recover after the 1997 Luxor attack where tourists were killed. Before that, the the U.S.'s 2003 Iraq invasion caused tourism to plummet. He thinks recovery this time shouldn't take so long, although it's an open question, since the many other revolutions breaking out in northern Africa may complicate recovery.

Another guide on our boat says that his job has not changed because of the revolution, other than there are so few tourists. The future with his particular company is uncertain though, as the owner is imprisoned, charged with bribery as are a number of those suspected of profiting from corruption.