Tourists evacuated from Sharm el Sheikh
Friday, February 28, 2014
German tourists are being pulled out of Sharm el Sheikh after their government labeled the resort area a no-go zone this week, but UK operators say there's no need to evacuate British visitors.
TUI Deutschland and Thomas Cook Germany are among the German tour operators who have decided to fly holidaymakers home early this weekend.
One German operator, DER, told Reuters it had chartered a plane to bring 85 guests home this morning while another, Alltours, is understood to have flown home 120 guests last night.
German operators have cancelled holidays to Sharm for the next few weeks on the advice of the German government, which recommended on Wednesday that its citizens refrain from traveling to the beach resorts in Sinai.
It said those already there should make arrangements with their travel agent to return early.
However, UK tour operators say they have no plans to bring back British tourists and they are continuing to sell holidays to Sharm el Sheikh.
They say they are following the advice of the British Foreign Office, which is advising against all but essential travel to South Sinai but has made an exception for the immediate area around Sharm el Sheikh, including Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay, Nabq and the airport.
Following the fatal bombing of a tour bus in nearby Taba on February 16, the Foreign Office said enhanced security measures were in place to protect the Sharm el Sheikh resort areas.
"Egyptian military are situated in Sharm el Sheikh international airport, at check points around the perimeter of Sharm el Sheikh and throughout the South Sinai Governorate," it said.
"Routine security checks are being performed on entry into the airport and the police are carrying out vehicle checks in Sharm el-Sheikh.
"There were no violent protests in the South Sinai resorts during recent disturbances in Egypt."
Several tour operators, including Thomson, Thomas Cook and Hayes & Jarvis, have cancelled day trips from the Red Sea resorts to Taba and St Catherine's Monastery following the bomb attack on February 16, which killed four tourists.
However, TUI issued a statement this morning saying it had no plans to stop selling Sharm.
"Thomson and First Choice always follow UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice. Their overall level of advice for Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh - the only areas of Egypt that we currently operate to - has not changed," it said.
"We continue to monitor the situation closely and as a precaution have cancelled some excursions.
"The safety of our customers is always our number one priority and the UK FCO advises that enhanced security measures are in place to protect resort areas as a precaution.
"Our experienced overseas resort team is updating all those currently on holiday in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam and is reporting that customers are enjoying their holidays as normal."
Hayes & Jarvis said this morning: "We are closely monitoring the situation in Egypt and the safety of our customers is our number one priority.
"We will follow respective Foreign Office advice and at this point the overall level of advice for UK travellers to Egypt remains unchanged. We are continuing to sell holidays to Sharm el Sheikh and normal booking conditions apply."
TUI Germany, Thomas Cook Germany and DER said the rebooking or cancellation offer was valid on holidays until March 14, while Alltours said those with travel booked until the end of March could alter their plans for free.
