How safe is a holiday to Egypt during the current violent protests and civil unrest?

IT’S been a week since President Mohammed Morsi was ousted In Egypt and today an arrest order has been issued for the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Badie

The violent protests, which saw more than 50 people killed on Monday, has led tour operators to cancel day trips to Cairo and Luxor for tourists currently on holiday in the country. A sensible decision, following Foreign Office advice, urging Britons against “non essential” travel to some areas of the country.

In line with this, Explore and Exodus, who both specialise in adventure travel involving visits to ancient pyramids and temples have temporarily suspended holidays to the region for the next three months. Both are currently contacting customers and offering alternative holidays.

So, where does that leave holiday-makers due to fly out this summer?

The good news for anyone heading to a Red Sea Resort destination is that this region appears to be unaffected.

The latest Foreign Office advice continues to be, “In view of the continued unrest and ongoing evolving political situation in Egypt, the FCO recommends against all but essential travel to Egypt except for resorts on the Red Sea in South Sinai and those resorts on the Egyptian mainland in Red Sea governorate.”
These exemptions include, “Red Sea resorts in the entire region of Sharm el Sheikh, Taba, Nuweiba and Dahab”. – all a good eight hours drive from any of the areas which the Foreign Office has advised against visiting.

A spokesperson for Thomas Cook UK & Ireland said: "We continue to monitor the situation in Egypt and are working in close contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Our experienced teams on the ground assure us that no tourist areas at the Red Sea have been affected.”

Flights to Sharm el Sheikhk are continuing as normal, they say and the Foreign Office has precautions for any travellers to Egypt include.

1.    Checking that you are well covered on your travel Insurance.
2.    The company you plan to travel with ABTA or Atol registered
3.    Make sure you keep up to date with news and check the Foreign
Office website for any updates https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

Currently, advice on their website urges Britons against travelling to the North Sinai district and say that any airport passengers travelling to destinations involving a transit stop in Cairo should remain inside the airport.

“The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai due to the significant increase in criminal activity and recent terrorist attacks on police and security forces that have resulted in deaths.”