The Ministries of tourism and aviation will sponsor the international hot air balloon festival to be hosted in Luxor for the first time as of Thursday.

Eleven balloons and 41 pilots from nine states including Japan, Germany, South Africa, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Spain, Sweden and Norway will take part in the three-day event, a statement by the Tourism Ministry said Wednesday.

The unique event will enable tourists and visitors of Luxor to see colorful balloons floating in the skies of the city over Pharaonic monuments from sun rise till the afternoon, the statement said.

The festival will be organized by the Egyptian Aviation Club.

Such events positively contribute to promoting tourism in Egypt and improving its image.