Don’t over react, says AITO chairman
AITO chairman Derek Moore is urging consumers and the trade not to over react over security fears in Egypt as the UK government suspends flights to and from Sharm el Sheikh.
He admitted the incident could well be a further blow to the ‘already-beleaguered tourism industry’, but added: "It is important not to over react until we have a firm and definitive picture of what happened.
"Only then can we assess any wider impact on the aviation and tourism sectors further afield.
"Whilst the halting of flights into and out of Sharm is, of course, a big inconvenience to British tourists, the authorities are perhaps taking the only logical course of action until the situation becomes clear."
Carl Cross, managing director of fellow AITO member On The Go Tours, agreed.
He said he has spoken with some of the operator’s Egyptian partners this morning.
"Of course everyone is upset at the news and worried again for the state of the tourism industry across Egypt," he said.
"My heart goes out to them. Following the best month we have had for Egypt sales in four years last month, they are now faced with further uncertainty.
"Of course we await the findings and any definitive decisions which may come from these and continue to think of those who lost loved ones in the tragedy."
Oasis Overland general manager Ceris Wrede questioned the government’s decision.
"We feel this decision is potentially disastrous for Egypt when their government is trying so hard to get their economy back on track and needs all our support," she said.
"We would seriously question our government’s reaction. Is it a knee jerk decision rather than a considered one?"
However, John Telfer, director of Explore, said a reassessment of safety protocols makes good sense.
"The sooner that such issues are addressed in a positive way, the better the long-term prospects for Sharm, and for Egypt overall, will be," he said.
"In my many years in the adventure travel business, I don’t believe this has ever been done before; it shows due recognition of concerns following recent incidents."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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