Still some time ago, Egypt was the most popular tourist destination. But the constant clashes between protesters and the police and the deaths of rioters did their job.
But now, when the situation has stabilized a bit, tourists are again drawn to the warm shores of the Red Sea. Is it possible to go to Egypt now and how dangerous is it to stay in local hotels? Let's try to find out.
The big picture
In 2013, a wave of demonstrations swept across the country, in which several million people took part. The army supported the protesters, which helped to quickly remove the incumbent from office.
Over time, members of the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamists began to express their dissatisfaction with the new government, demanding the return of the old government.
The incumbent president took all appropriate measures and took the situation under his personal control. Yes, inSome cities have imposed curfews. Measures to disperse the demonstrators became more severe, which led to mass arrests, followed by the confiscation of the property of many detainees.
This turn of events could not but cause a negative reaction from other countries. The rulers of some states recalled their ambassadors, and tourists were advised to choose another, more peaceful place to stay, as it is now dangerous to go to Egypt.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of our country asked tourists to avoid traveling to this place, and the Federal Tourism Agency insists on the return of money by agencies for vouchers that have already been purchased.
Worth the risk?
Strong measures aimed at combating outraged residents have helped to improve the situation. So, after some time, the situation in the country stabilized, and our government sent specialists who were supposed to make their conclusion about whether it was now possible to go to Egypt.
The official delegation, which included representatives of the Association of Tour Operators and Rostourism, after visiting a number of resorts, noticed that the situation in the cities is safe, and therefore the life of tourists is not in danger. They submitted their report to the Foreign Ministry. This made it possible to believe that soon the inhabitants of Russia will again be able to travel without restrictions.
In the first days of October, terrible events again shook Egypt, and during the clashes between the military and the protesters, more than fifty people died a day on both sides. This has led to a massive declineinflux of tourists from other countries (including Russia).
In order not to lose earnings, tour operators (without the permission of the relevant authorities) continue to actively send vacationers to stay in local hotels and even organize field trips to other cities. This gives the authorities the right to prosecute the director of the agency if an accident happens to a tourist on vacation associated with the resumption of confrontations between the authorities and the protesters.
It is dangerous now to go to Egypt in these cities:
- Cairo.
- Aswan.
- Alexandria.
- Luxor.
- Port Said.
- Taba.
- Suez.
Places for tourists
You can now go to Egypt to the resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada. They remain under increased surveillance by local police and private security, so that the lives of vacationers are not in danger. To avoid any unforeseen situations, tourists are not recommended to spend time outside the hotel.
Large tour operators have the opportunity to take care of the safety of our citizens. Field trips are accompanied by several cars with police. The same cannot be said about small travel agencies whose clients travel in minivans. Visiting major cities can be life-threatening.
Egypt-2014, is it worth going?
The situation in the country as a whole was described above. As for the resort towns, everything is quite calm here. The crime rate has even been reduced to a minimum, because the main income of these residents directly depends on the number of visiting tourists.
Currently, all hotels have resumed their work. On the streets, as before, there are stalls with all sorts of souvenirs and decorations, and the divine aroma of traditional dishes comes from local restaurants.
Therefore, the question of whether it is now possible to go to Egypt is no longer so acute. After all, many tourists have gotten used to the idea that in this country, some citizens periodically express their dissatisfaction very aggressively.
Precautions
For those who want to go on vacation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, but are afraid to witness such performances, it is advisable to keep the following in mind. The bigger the hotel, the better the security. Infrastructure is well developed in such establishments, and you do not have to travel outside their territory to buy souvenirs for friends.
Money, jewelry, documents hide in the safe. If it is not in the room, then valuables can be put in a special box at the administrator. True, there is one but here: for losing the key to the safe, you will be issued a large fine (several hundred dollars), so you should be very careful.
If you decide to go on an excursion, then try to avoid crowded places and communication with aggressive individuals.
Be respectful of the people in whose country you come and their customs. Do not use obscene language and offensive words in conversationthe address of the residents of the city and do not enter into an argument with them.
The rumors that Islamists are driving around the city and shooting infidels are a blatant lie. There are many people in Egypt who do not practice Islam. A Christian church has been built in Sharm al-Sheikh, where tourists and residents of the city pray.
As for the taxi, it is better to use the vehicle from the hotel. Local drivers are often scammed, so if you go somewhere and do not agree on the fare in advance, be prepared to end up paying 2-3 times more.
Public transport is out of the question. Here, the rules of traffic on the road are openly neglected. Therefore, a person who is not mentally prepared can get a lot of stress by riding at least once on a bus, the driver of which considers it his sacred duty to “cut off” someone on the highway or not let the transport pass at the intersection.
Just in case
This item concerns women, or rather, their manner of dressing. If you are going to go to a neighboring city, then the outfit should be loose-fitting and cover your arms and legs. When entering a local shrine, it is advisable to wear a scarf or headscarf on your head. This rule must be followed unquestioningly, because so many women have had to get into unpleasant situations because of their appearance.
In local nightclubs, girls in skimpy outfits should be patient. After all, men can afford a couple of indecent compliments addressed to them. In order not to escalate the situation, try to calmly respond to such statements.
Conclusion
Of course, it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question: "Should I go to Egypt now?" After all, a lot depends on the purpose of the visit, on which cities you will visit and how you personally feel about the events taking place there. If you're the type of person who just needs a sun lounger, water and a few meters of beach to relax, then you're definitely not in danger.
If you are terribly afraid for your life and do not even want to hear that in a country where confrontations periodically escalate, there can be a good rest, then, of course, it is dangerous to go to Egypt. And not only to him, but also to any other country.
Parents often wonder if it is now possible to go to Egypt with children? But you must admit, if you follow the rules described above, then why not. Indeed, in the resort towns there is no hint of a confrontation between the authorities and the protesters.
