Egypt travel is ok
With a world in turmoil in the Middle East, tourists may wonder where it’s safe to go these days. Answer: Egypt, but certainly not Libya.
At least if you believe the US State Department.
Egypt is OK in the minds of Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) USA, which says it is resuming regular operations there on April 1.
“The first small-group escorted journeys scheduled to operate will be Pharaohs & Pyramids (April 12 to 25), which includes a seven-night Nile River cruise aboard Sun Boat III, and Egypt Unveiled (April 14 to 24), which includes a four-night Nile cruise aboard Sun Boat IV,” says the tour company.
A&K’s ground office in Egypt has reported that the situation on the ground has continued to improve and the “groundwork is being laid for a return to normal operations.”
“Egypt’s new energy and spirit of optimism are leading the country forward to political reform and greater stability,” said Amr Badr, A&K’s managing director of Egypt and the Middle East. “There have been some tangible moves back to normal such as the reopening of the Egyptian Museum.”
A&B says hotels are back to normal and tourist police forces have resumed work in all hotels and major tourist sites. “They are present and visible which is a reassuring development,” particularly when they are added to the strong military presence.
Airports throughout the country are also functioning normally.
An added inducement for tourists is that all major visitor sites throughout Egypt are “functioning normally” and “it’s quite a treat to enjoy without the crowds.”
No, however, to Libya.
The US is warning citizens against any travel there and has recommended that anyone still there “depart immediately.”
“The US advised the government of Libya that it has suspended all embassy operations effective Feb. 25, 2011, given ongoing violence and a deteriorating security situation,” says the government.
All official US embassy personnel and their family members have departed.
The State Department is working with Americans remaining in that country and urging them to contact the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) to provide current contact and next-of-kin information, which makes this warning a particularly ominous step.
“The US will appoint a protecting power to assist any remaining US citizens in Libya and oversee its property,” says the State Department, making the warning even more serious.
The State Department advises “against any non-essential travel to Christchurch at this time,” though other areas of New Zealand are not affected.
“Considerable damage has occurred in the Christchurch Central Business District, Lyttelton and surrounding suburbs,” State says.
There is a cordon around the central business district, where the heaviest damage occurred.
“Damage assessment is ongoing, and the rescue work is likely to take days to complete,” State says.
By David Wilkening
David
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