Industry comes together to demand decision on Sharm
Over 30 travel businesses have met with MPs and members of the House of Lords to demand a swift decision on reinstating flights to Sharm el Sheikh.
The travel businesses attending included airlines, tour operators, hoteliers and Nile cruise companies which have joined forces to create the Travel Industry Egypt Advisory Group working with the Egyptian Tourist Office in London.
Group members will meet regularly to build travel and government relations and include TUI Group, Monarch Group, Egyptair, Discover Egypt, Egyptian Experience, Travel Republic, Saga Holidays, Cyplon Holidays, Cox & Kings Travel, Expedia, Kuoni/Voyages Jules Verne, Mosaic Holidays and Red Sea Holidays.
Members of the new Travel Industry Egypt Advisory Group told parliamentarians and Lords that the nearly year-long ban on flights to Sharm El Sheik is having a serious impact on their businesses.
One operator said he was now selling as much in one year as he used to sell in a week to Egypt.
Others expressed frustration that British businesses are being penalised compared to the German and other European companies which are now able to fly back into Sharm el Sheikh.
The delegation explained that Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice has affected the entire country’s reputation because travellers are confused about whether they can travel to Egypt and where they can go.
The meeting also highlighted that uncertainty of when the ban will be changed is causing concern because airlines have to plan their schedules at least four months before departure.
If a decision on the flight ban is not taken in the next two weeks many airlines will miss the opportunity to return to Sharm el Sheikh for winter 2016/17.
Sir Gerald Howarth MP and chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Egypt has written to Prime Minister Theresa May asking for a swift decision on the matter.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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