news north africa crisis:egypt
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Discounts at restaurants in Na’ama Bay try to pull in Sharm’s vastly reduced tourist population
Egyptians and Brits partied in Na’ama Bay, where hotel occupany fell to 20% in February
Upgrades, discounts and nerves as resorts pray for a revival
While Egyptians last week threw a street party for British tourists to thank them for their support, hoteliers in Tunisia reported occupancy dropping to record lows. Kathryn Liston in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, and Sophie Griffiths in Monastir, Tunisia, report on how the north Africa crisis is hitting tourism
FLAG-WAVING EGYPTIANS and British tourists wearing “I Love Egypt” T-shirts enjoyed a street party in Na’ama Bay in Sharm el Sheikh last week as a thank you from local businesses for support during the downturn in tourism. Britain is the only country to have continued sending tourists to the Red Sea resort throughout the period following the Egyptian uprising, and February saw hotel occupancy fall to 20%. The Hyatt Regency Gardens Bay and Hilton Sharks Bay have closed whole wings plus some restaurants and swimming pools. Groups with more than one hotel have amalgamated their bookings and placed guests in one property. The Maritim Jolie Ville Golf & Resort in Um Marikha Bay was only 10% full when I stayed there last week. The main hotel and some of the restaurants, including the golf club, were closed for a “facelift”, and all guests were upgraded to the deluxe Royal Wing. Breakfast was moved to the Bistro and dinner,
with a reduced a la carte menu, was served in the lobby, leaving several British guests feeling short-changed – something travel agents should be aware of when selling the resort. Some B&B clients who were unhappy with the choice of restaurants travelled into Na’ama Bay for dinner. Despite being half-term week, there were only 10 people at the beach, including one child.
10 11.03.2011
Fortunately the weekend saw Egyptians lured by cheap prices inject some life and local colour into the tranquil atmosphere.
March optimism “In February, we should have been 75% full. Instead we were running at 15%,” said Mootaz Soliman, Maritim Jolie Ville’s general manager. “There are signs that business will pick up, but
we have missed the half-term holidays and there are fewer golfers coming. “The English have always supported us and
the Scandinavians, Italian and Germans have removed bans on travelling to the resort.” He said he had not had to lay off workers, but that many were keen to take extended leave. Maxine Shaw, a resort representative with Longwood Holidays, said: “Holidaymakers are
still coming, but we don’t know how many will come in the future. Fortunately we have a lot of repeaters here. It is a blow to hoteliers – I have heard that 30 to 40 hotels have closed, although The Savoy is more than 50% full.” Mohammed Omar, an Olympic Holidays resort
representative, said he had only received one cancellation. “There are only English here but the Dutch, Belgians and Scandinavians are starting to come back, and the Russians will be back by mid-March. There are some good prices so we expect everything to be fine by the end of March.”
Winter of discontent Bars and restaurants at the purpose-built Soho Square and popular Na’ama Bay were empty but for signs offering 25% off drinks. December’s shark attacks have also hit bookings but operators are running a full programme of excursions, including diving and snorkelling trips. Tariq, a guide with travel agency Travel Ways
Egypt, said one benefit of the downturn was that tourists were getting room upgrades. Workers and managers are generally optimistic that business will pick up soon, but it will probably be too little, too late for this winter’s high season.
Kathryn at the “We Love Egypt” party in Sharm el Sheikh
■For the latest travel news on north Africa, visit
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