IN FOCUS EGYPT
TOURISM UPRISING D
uring the upheavals arising from the Arab Spring in 2011, travellers have been understandably reluctant to visit the usual tourism hotspots in North Africa. But with a democratically elected government in place for the fi rst time in Cairo, there are strong reasons to suggest a holiday in Egypt. The current status report from the
Foreign Offi ce is ‘code green’, with no travel restrictions in place. Its advice is: “Demonstrations in Cairo have often centred on Tahrir Square… we advise that you follow the news on the television and radio closely, and stay away from demonstrations and large gatherings of people.”
Red Sea resorts such as Sharm el Sheikh, Taba, and the area around
Hurghada have been relatively unaffected by the disturbances. If you can convince your customers to book their holidays here, there are some wonderful bargains to be had. For example, upmarket operator
Hayes & Jarvis is offering 31% off a short break to the Savoy Hotel in Sharm. The hotel is on Soho Square, which is packed with bars restaurants and offers activities such as ice-skating and bowling, making it a good alternative to Sharm itself. As one of the major historic sites of
the Middle East, 2012 marks a milestone for the 'Lost City of Petra' in Jordan and will bring further tourists to 'nearby' areas like Taba Heights. Zoe Betchley, product manager for the Middle East at Hayes & Jarvis, says: “The
perfect thing about Sharm el-Sheikh is that it appeals to everyone: couples, families, groups, divers, budget and luxury customers.
“There are fi ve- star luxury resorts,
three-star all-inclusive properties, great nightlife, bars and lively atmosphere in
It’s been in the news for all the wrong reasons but, with bargains galore and the warmest of welcomes guaranteed, there’s probably never been a better time to visit Egypt, says Richard Williams
Na´ama Bay and Soho Square.” Just a short hop away across the Red
Sea, the area around Hurghada offers an alternative. This area has a similar climate, with a hot summer running from May to September, but winter temperatures of 20-25C, and very little rain. The Hurghada area can be windier in the springtime, making it ideal for water sports sports such as sailing, windsurfi ng and kite-surfi ng. The El Gouna complex to the north of
Hurghada is a good choice for a family holiday, with its many facilities for watersports, golf, diving and tennis. The Makhadi Bay and Soma Bay
resorts to the south are quieter, with golden sandy beaches, and would suit couples and older travellers. With direct fl ights to both Sharm
u
The El Gouna complex to the north of
Hurghada is a good choice for family holidays, with its many watersports facilities, golf, diving and tennis
Above: The Savoy hotel in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh
www.sellinglonghaul.com • March/April 2012
2012 29
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