Germany extends travel alert to Red Sea resorts

Germany has extended its travel warning for Egypt to include the Red Sea tourist resorts.

Like the UK, it had previously excluded the holiday resorts from its advice.

Although it is now advising against travel to the resorts, it has not issued a full travel warning that would mean tourists being evacuated.

The US, Sweden and Finland have already issued alerts for the resorts, advising against travel to the whole of Egypt.

Germany’s decision will put more pressure on the UK Foreign Office to extend its advice too.

If so, it means clients booked with tour operators, including Thomas Cook, Thomson and Kuoni, will be able to get refunds on their holiday.

Meanwhile, UK tour operators have stepped up their contact with staff on the ground in light of the escalating problems in Egypt and amid growing security concerns.

Jono Vernon-Powell, owner of AITO operator Nomadic Thoughts, said it currently has clients in Sharm El Sheikh and is closely monitoring FCO and ground handler advice on an hourly basis.

"As a loyal Egypt holiday tour operator we have always been bullish on sending clients to Egypt. However, the mood change has significantly altered over the past week," he said.

"Bearing in mind we do heavily rely on our local Destination Management Company for up-to-date information – one of the main differences now is that they are showing extreme concern for all clients, with such unpredictability.

"Certainly we are monitoring it through our suppliers on an hourly basis, not least as we are so concerned for their own safety. Tourism wise – the good news is that it is August and peak summer so tourist numbers are considerably down.

"The overriding message to tourist today is stay poolside, within hotel confines, keeping mobile phones on."

The Intrepid Group said has also been closely monitoring the situation and liaising with its local operations team in Cairo.

It has cancelled all Intrepid, Peregrine and Geckos Egypt trips scheduled up to and including September 30 2013.

Its family adventure specialist, The Adventure Company, has cancelled all family trips in Egypt up to and including the end of December, with the next departure due to take place during February half-term.

All affected passengers will receive a full refund of ground trip costs or the option to book an alternate trip without any amendment fees.

"The safety of our passengers, leaders and operators remains our top priority and we will continue to monitor the situation in Egypt closely with our local office in Cairo," said James Thornton, Intrepid Group managing director.

"We hope to run trips departing in October, but appreciate that some passengers may be concerned about travelling then and are therefore offering transfers to another trip without amendment fees.

"This situation is devastating for Egypt and is deeply affecting the lives of many local operators, including staff in our Cairo office and their families.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure our passengers, tour leaders and local staff are safe and hope the situation is resolved quickly so they can all get back on their feet and continue to see travellers through such a wonderful country."

Thomas Cook has cancelled excursions from the Red Sea resorts to Cairo, Luxor, Moses Mountain and St Catherine’s Monastery, but some excursions are now taking place within the perimeter of Sharm el Sheikh, including boat and diving excursions, quads and city tours.

Reports in the Sunday Express suggest that a fleet of Navy ships in the Red Sea are on standby to rescue Britons if the violence escalates.

HMS Illustrious, the assault ship Bulwark and a fleet of frigates and support ships are heading towards Gibraltar for a series of war games which is also due to take them through the Red Sea.

A top Naval source said: "The planning team will be looking at all options and making sure we are ready to evacuate British nationals if it comes to that or in a worst-case scenario intervene to rescue UK citizens taken hostage.

"As well as tourists, we have British nationals inside Cairo and other areas and this is now very much a waiting game. It is all about the political decision- making process, based on the intelligence information collated at GCHQ. Our role is to be ready."

by Bev Fearis and Diane Evans