Egypt’s tourism industry was facing meltdown on Friday as foreign governments ordered visitors to stay in their hotels and tour operators began cancelling trips to crisis-hit country.

Fears of nationwide unrest in the wake of a violent crackdown by military backed interim government earlier this week have resulted in a string of countries issuing official advice against all but essential travel to land of pyramids.

Tourists already in the country are being told to stay in their hotels and resorts‚ even in areas untouched by the troubles‚ adding to a sense of insecurity that has hit the beleaguered sector hard as per AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

Tourism is a vital component of the Egyptian economy‚ accounting for more than 11 per cent of gross domestic product before the current wave of political instability began with the Arab Spring in 2011.

German travel groups TUI and Thomas Cook announced on Friday that they were cancelling all holidays to Egypt until September 15 in light of the uncertain security situation.

Russia‚ which has more than 50‚000 of its nationals currently on holiday in Egypt and a similar number booked to go there in the coming months‚ advised travel agents to stop selling packages to the north African state.

Britain‚ which had previously excluded Egypt’s popular Red Sea resorts from its travel advisory‚ on Friday told its nationals visiting the resort of Hurghada to stay in their hotels‚ in line with advice received from the Egyptian police. The warning followed a death in Hurghada on Wednesday.

(You need to login first to read complete news).
New User? Register for FREE!
» Back to Travel News