Samih Sawiris, the visionary and brains behind El Gouna. El Gouna is truly life as it should be with it’s azure waters, world-class diving, world class kiting, friendly people and endless sunshine.
Everything has a beginning and El Gouna is turning only 30 years old this year, 2019. So where did it all begin? What goes on in the mind of somebody who invents a town? Read on to find out more.
- Where were you when you first had the idea to build El Gouna?
The idea to build El Gouna came while I was in Hurghada enjoying fishing and diving and I noticed that there was too much construction; too haphazard, no planning and I feared that Hurghada might develop like Alexandria where I spent my childhood and now is no longer as nice as it was! At that point, I decided I should do something outside Hurghada and try to keep it small and attractive for friends and family and potentially other people who might like it.
2. Can you describe how it all started and how it grew from there?
From then on I went to the government to ask for a piece of land to build a marina and some houses, they insisted on a hotel and I did them all in less than a year and a half.
3. How does it feel to see such a thriving town, knowing you’re the man behind it.
When I come to El Gouna unfortunately I don’t have the luxury to see what has happened, but my eyes keep catching the flows and things that need to be done or re done differently. So, in essence I only see what needs to be done and not what is already look nice.
4. What do you foresee for the future of El Gouna?
El Gouna should continue to grow to become a proper town with the same style and same kind of people who live here permanently.
5. What do you love most about El Gouna?
What I love about El Gouna, is the serenity and the feeling that everybody feels safe and happy over here.
6. Where were you born, where did you grow up and where did you go to University?
I was born in Cairo and I went to the German school in Cairo and then went to berlin to study Economic Engineering at TU Berlin.
7. Who is / was your hero. Who do you want to be like?
My hero and my Godfather was Dr. Fathy Iskandar
8. What do you do to relax?
I like listening to Classical music, I like fishing, I take long showers and I swim more-or-less every day when I can; this is what helps me relax.
9. If you could sit and have coffee with anybody, dead or alive, who would it be?
I would like to meet Jesus Christ.
10. What is a ‘normal’ day for you? Your routines, habits etc
I wake up, read the newspapers, if not too lazy I swimmy laps and go back to the piano lesson. If my parents are in El Gouna I take breakfast with them. Then I usually have meetings in Seven stars Cafe. And, then I go to the boat for lunch. I go home then Piano lesson again, spa and get ready for dinner.
11. Tell us one secret about Naguib…
The biggest secret about Naguib Senior is his very big heart that he tries to hide For sure he is the kindest of the Three Sawiris even though he always puts a serious look and act.
13. Where did the name ‘Orascom’ come from?
“Orascom” was the very old telegraphic address of my father’s old nationalized company. The only thing kept after nationalization as it was registered in his name, and the company was renamed by the government after nationalization.
The “O” stands for Onsi and “com” for company.
14. Where is your favorite place to eat in El Gouna?
I love Pier 88, Saigon, the Indian, Tandoor, and Hedra. And, of course the Swiss House.
15. Who has represented El Gouna and it’s spirit most accurately? (feel free to skip this one if it means offending people)
Representing El Gouna best are the people who lives in it permanently. They give it the spirit and they are the type of people that leaves the entire country and settle in El Gouna. They give it the spirit, the soul and the style. In essence they are the biggest asset to the town.
We offer our thanks to Mr. Sawiris for taking the time to talk with us. But we would also like to thank him, on behalf of everybody who lives in El Gouna for the amazing, safe town that it is. Most foreigners and expats would say that this is the safest place they have ever lived.
