Tour operators insist Red Sea resorts are safe

Tour operators are continuing to operate holidays to Egypt's Red Sea resorts even though the Foreign Office is warning against all but essential travel to Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria and Suez.

A spokesman for Thomas Cook said this morning that there had been no change to its advice to holidaymakers, repeating its statement earlier this week which was: "We continue to monitor the situation in Egypt and we are in close contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

"Our experienced teams on the ground assure us that no tourist areas at the Red Sea have been affected in any way by the recent demonstrations.

"They are fully operational and holidaymakers are continuing to enjoy the popular resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada."

Thomas Cook said that customers due to travel within the next few days who wished to cancel, postpone or alter their travel plans would be subjected to the usual cancellation fees and charges.
However, British Airways is giving passengers due to travel to Egypt today or tomorrow the option of cancelling or of deferring their trip up to February 28, although it is continuing to fly to Cairo, albeit with changes to its schedule to avoid a government-imposed night curfew.

The Foreign Office recommended yesterday that "all British nationals without a pressing need to be in Cairo, Alexandria or Suez leave by commercial means, where it is safe to do so. "

The advice does not extend to transits through Cairo airport for onward travel to other destinations, although the Foreign Office said there is some disruption to flight schedules.

The latest advice comes as Egypt enters a sixth day of violent demonstrations, which have spread from Cairo to other major cities, including Alexandria and Luxor.

Britons in Egypt requiring assistance should call
020 7008 0000 from the UK
or (02) 2791 6000 (02) 2791 6000 in Egypt.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "The safety of British nationals is absolutely paramount.

"In light of the ongoing demonstrations in Egypt, we have carefully reviewed our advice and now advise against all but essential travel.

"This does not affect transits through Cairo airport for onward travel to other destinations, and it does not cover Egypt's Red Sea resorts." Of the estimated 30,000 Britons in Egypt, the majority are in the Red Sea region.