Czech travel agencies cancel holidays in Egypt

At the weekend the Czech Foreign Ministry advised Czechs to postpone all non-essential travel to Egypt until the situation stabilizes. Despite the warning, Czech travel agencies continued to send more tourists to Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, on the argument that those destinations were still safe. On Monday they reversed their decision. Tomio Okamura is the head of the Association of Czech Travel Agencies:

Egyptian tourist guides and security sit near the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. The Pyramids are closed to tourists. Photo: CTK

“Czech travel agencies have just decided to cancel all holidays in Egypt for the entire coming month and they will offer clients alternate destinations in February.”

How many Czech tourists are now in Egypt?

“There are approximately 1,000 Czech tourists in the Red sea resorts.”

Do you know if they are safe – what circumstances they are in?

“At the moment we have no indication that there are problems in the hotels where they are staying.”

Are they actually staying indoors or are they able to move round?

“They are able to move around, but in coordination with the Czech Foreign Ministry we have informed them of the need to exercise caution.”

What happens if you need to get them back very fast? Will you be able to do that should the situation deteriorate?

“If some of our clients wish to return home immediately then travel agencies will do their best to get them on one of the charter flights bound for Prague as soon as possible.”