I guess the Tour Operators are awaiting advice from the Foreign Office, until then they will expect people to either travel or change destinations with the normal amendment fees.

Presumably charters will also run as they will need to pick up those who have been out there for the last 14 or 7 days.

This for Luxor were there is already advice to not travel.

Hi Folks,

No problems in Sharm Eh? Just read this article in the Manchester Evening News, which is not heresay and has been reported by people who were there!

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1406759_egypt_terror_returning_holidaymakers_tell_of_protest_violence_in_sharm_elsheikh

Glad we chose not to go,

Trev

I watched the earlier announcement being made in the House of Commons, and the advice is still the same, that areas like Sharm are trouble free . Even if it is relatively calm, how can someone enjoy their holiday when they are stuck in their hotel from 15.00 - 08.00am. The Tour Operators really need to use some common sense here and make some goodwill gestures.

Whilst I am not disputing the authenticity of this newspaper report, I still find it hard to believe that there is no photographic/video evidence to support any of it.

I have just copied his from the First Choice website. It was updated today - 31/1

Edited to remove Copyright© material, please only post links

Here are all the links once again -
This is the latest information form Thomson / First Choice, Thomas Cook and Cosmos.

Thomson

Thomas Cook

Cosmos

Please follow the latest up to date advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office HERE

Even if it is relatively calm, how can someone enjoy their holiday when they are stuck in their hotel from 15.00 - 08.00am. The Tour Operators really need to use some common sense here and make some goodwill gestures.

Helen I dont think there are any curfews in the red sea.

I've just watched a couple being interviewed in sharm and it seems to be business as usual there . Their fear was only for getting home should the situation change .

Sorry . just noticed that you have now seen that first choice annoucement .

is anyone having any difficulty in insuring theresens for a holiday in Egypt right now?
No-one is oging to touch anyone wanting to go to anywhere like Cairo, Luxor etc with a barge pole. Most cruises artart and and end in Luxor...
Whilst divers like us tend to concentrate on Sharm or Hurghada..even I would be wary right now..it is only a matter of time before the army turns against the president.

Also, I am not sure that the authorities would want to report any troubles in the major red sea resorts. Reports are that tourism has already shrunk 11% in the last week..if the people stay away from the Red Sea Riviera the damage to the Egyptian economy would be major.

Justval,

My sentiments. I recently bought a years travel insurance and I'm sure somewhere in the blurb it mentions that I'm not covered for acts of terrorism. Would this include civil unrest as well? Makes you wonder what travel insurance does cover!!!

Trev

I have been reading advise on different forums tonight and someone who actually works for an insurance company has posted excellent advise saying they have been inundated with calls these past few days regarding claims due to Civil unrest.
They have stated that after phoning other insurance companies,NO companies will cover for Civil unrest or terrorism.
I must admit I only checked my policy after Tunisia became a no go area as we hoped to go there in March.
Some people are being told by their insurance companies to put a claim in but it thats not to say the claim will be acted upon.

Jay Trip,

Thanks for this info. Just makes me wonder why the FCO are not advising us Brits to stay away from all of Egypt knowing that we are not covered by any travel insurance for any losses due to civil unrest?

Trev

I think there are many Governments around the world watching what is going on right now in Cairo, Luxor etc and are very very worried about what happens next. Egypt has alwasy been one of the more stable countries in the Middle east and has always had a pivotal role in smoothing relations over between the western world and other Middle eastern countries. The big fear is that this rioting etc willl spread across the middle east like it spread across Eastern Europe in the 80's/90's and led to the fall of communism. If this happens and the Islamic Extremists gain more of a political stronghold...then you will see trouble really start.

Throughout history, the Egyptian people have never rioted on this scale..they just dont do it. Now even though all nternet usage and mobile phones have been crashed and took off line, people are still managing to spread the word.

I think the people in the Red Sea Riviera are more heavily reliant on western money through tourism than they are in say Cairo and may be less inclined to kick off..however, I think it is only a matter of time. i would not travel there at the minute purely becuase a) I would not be able to be insured and b) you don't know what is going to happen. The Arabs are excitable people at the best of times...turn them into a rioting mob and who knows what could happen. I never ever thought I would say I would avoid something..but this is not terrorism, this is people fighting for what they beleive to be democracy and freedom from opression by a dictator. They are beleiving in a dream of making life better. History has shown how far people will go fighting for something they beleive in.

if I was the Tour Operators I would be getting people out..end of.

Hi, I've been watching the situation closely as I have 2 holidays booked soon (19/2 and 24/3 both on a B&B) basis) and having visited Egypt 15 times in the last 6 years love the country and its people. Ironically the February holiday was only booked 10 days ago and we paid the half term 'premium' of twice the normal price for the holiday! In addition my friend has still to obtain travel insurance (obviously civil unrest not covered but still need medical insurance).

I saw the announcement from the Commons yesterday and was flabberghasted that the travel advice to the Red Sea resorts did not change. The situation in the Red Sea resorts may or may not deteriorate but with reports/rumours of isolated disturbances, food rationing in hotels, taxi drivers unable to obtain petrol and tourists confined to hotels I cannot believe the Foreign Office believes it sensible to still send planeloads of tourists out there. It would be a logistical nightmare to repatriate the estimated 20,000 plus Brits.

Regarding my own situation I am hoping that things become clearer over the next couple of weeks, one way or another, as I can't afford to lose over £1200 easily. Its a very hard decision to make. However I appreciate that this is nothing compared to those who have lost their lives or loved ones in the name of democracy.
Regards, Caro

Operator offers refund to Egypt customers in rolling policy

Upmarket tour operator Kuoni says it has contacted all customers due to travel to Egypt within the next week to ask if they want to change their plans with no amendment charge.

The operations team will try to find a suitable alternative destination for customers or hand back a refund. Additional costs for a different holiday will be paid for by the customer.

Kuoni says this will be a "rolling policy" while the Foreign Office is still advising against non-essential travel to Cairo, Luxor, Suez and Alexandria.

For customers already out in Egypt, Kuoni says all customers are being repatriated as quickly as possible apart from those in Sharm El Sheikh which is eight hours' drive from Cairo. Only clients who ask to return home from this resort will be repatriated.

The operator reports, however, that all flights are subject to delays and cancellations and asks customers due to travel out to the troubled destination within the next 48 hours to contact operations on 01306 741533.

With permission from Travelmole

We are due to go to Sharm Friday with First Choice- we can't change anything, our only get out is simply not go and loose the holiday.

My mum and dad are somewhat infirm, this is the only family holiday we will have together.

We are worried, but at the moment still going.

Jules

I am due to fly to hurgarder on march 5th 2011 with my family for 2 weeks holiday i am praying that because of what is going on in egypt at the moment it will not mean i have to cancel my holiday i would be gutted as i have been looking forward to my trip for months so fingers crossed has anybody cancelled there holiday to egypt

We are due to fly to Luxor on Monday for a weeks Nile Cruise followed by a week in Hurgahda at Makedi Bay. Travel Agents - Monarch/Cosmos say monitoring on a daily basis no decision reached yet on flights from Manchester to Luxor, even though, FO advice is not to travel to Luxor unless "absolutely necessary"! Its crazy TA will not allow us to cancel and receive a full refund. What can we do?

off to sharm el sheik on the 15th feb, not worried at all, its only a relaxing week we are goin for , so it wont bother us if it means we do have to stop in hotel , was not goin on any tours this holiday any way, hope it stays calm tho in sharm el sheik.

off to sharm el sheik on the 15th feb, not worried at all,

Tammie you are being brave and positive. I appreciate that Sharm is (officially) regarded as being safe but the situation over there is very volatile at the moment. I suppose if you've already booked your holiday and your TO isn't offering you any money back, cancelation is a hard decision to make.

I hope everything stays ok for you and you don't experience anything worse than a couple of delays on your flights.