Attacks on Egyptian resort increase nervousness around Europe
Barely had people had time to come to terms with the recent bombings in London when a series of explosions rocked the Egyptian resort of Sharm al Sheikh, leaving scores dead. Radio Slovakia International's Katarina Richterova reports.
But in a few moments this paradise can turn into a nightmare, just as it has in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Eighty-eight dead and 100s wounded the outcome of Saturday night's terrorist attacks. Most of the victims were locals but tourists from Italy, Britain and one from the Czech Republic were also killed.
Luckily no Slovak was killed this time. But for how long? The fundamentalists are demanding that all Christians and Jews leave the country in the next 60 days, or else.
To find what the atmosphere in the popular tourist destination was like only 3 days after the terrible attack we got on the phone to Sharm el-Sheikh where Ivana Kumpfova, tour leader of the travel agency Ruefa Reisen is situated.
"Now the atmosphere here in Sharm el-Sheikh is quite calm and the tourists who decided to stay here are still going to the beach and the city for shopping. Of course there is less tourists here than before."
"I had only one hotel which was situated directly in the Naama bay and those tourists they were really scared and wanted to go home immediately, but the rest of the tourists from other hotels, further away they didn't even know about this, so they were not so scared and they stayed."
What about a comparison. I know you meet a lot of Czech and Slovak tourists. Do you think the Czech tourists are a little bit more afraid since we know there was one Czech casualty.
"Only the Czech airlines have sent an airplane and mostly the Czech people left for home. Only a few Slovaks left and the rest decided to stay here. So I think Czechs were more scared because of that one death."
What about you personally, where were you during the attacks?
"I was quite close there ... but I don't know. At first I couldn't figure out what it could have been and then I had a lot of people ..."
So you didn't take it as a personal shock because you had to take care of your guests. However, what do you think about the future. You're going to be staying in Sharm el-Sheikh for quite a long time, since the season is not over yet. Do you think about similar things happening?
"I am not planning to leave Sharm el-Sheikh. I would like to stay here. I don't expect another attack here."
According to Slovak Airline statistics more than 92% of the 400 passengers who were to leave for Sharm el-Sheikh in the two days after the attacks didn't cancel their vacation but despite all went to Egypt. Are these travelers courageous - or foolish? Psychologist Petra Wagnerova:
A lot of people love adventure and they are especially attracted by these events. Another group of people is such that they would like to show that they are not afraid and go there. And also there is a general opinion that places where terrorists attacks have happened will not be attacked again in a short period of time.
The bombings of last weekend are so far the most terrible attack against tourists in Egypt. In the few hours after the attacks more than 6000 tourists left Egypt. And although many travel agencies report only a small percentage of vacation cancellation to Egypt so far, the number of cancellations is expected to rise.
Whether traveling to Egypt or staying home, there is a question many probably have in the back of their heads. Where is it all going to end?
