In 2013, after the demonstrations in Egypt, the war began between opponents and supporters of former President Mohamed Morsi. As a result of conflict, pursuant to data of August 21, 2013, more than 900 people died. The government of the country is very much concerned about the decline in the number of tourists.
Egypt’s Tourism Minister has stated that military operations proceed in major cities, while in the Red Sea resorts the situation is secure. Despite the Minister’s statement, many countries, including Russia, urge their citizens not to leave for Egypt. As informed by one of Russian sites, currently about 90% of Russian citizens refused from the tour package. The governments of Finland and Azerbaijan have started to exile their citizens.
To find out whether the travel agencies in Armenia provide travel packages to Egypt, “Aravot” conducted a survey among travel agencies in Armenia. The result of the survey revealed that the majority of agencies are ready to organize tours to Egypt, but there is nobody willing. “Now there are very few people leaving for Egypt. Our agency is trying to evade this country. When a customer comes to us, we tell that there is military situation in Egypt. It is true that in the regions where we offer vacation packages, the situation is quiet, but in any case we warn,”- said the travel agency.
To the question whether there were cases when the customer picked up a package tour, but refused to leave, they answered,- “No, there were no such cases. People refuse right from the beginning. There are courageous, who despite everything, are going.” Only two out of travel agencies under survey, taking into account the situation in Egypt, do not provide tours to this country. In addition, Yerevan-Egypt direct flights are terminated. To note that presently the situation in the big cities of Egypt is much tensed, and since August 14, one month of state of emergency is declared in Egypt.
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Lusine SHAKHAZIZYAN