Industry in shock after Sharm bombings

British holidaymakers were among those caught up a series of bombings which left 88 dead in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik.

One Briton was confirmed dead today and 10 others are missing while 120 people were wounded in the terrorist attacks. 

The World Tourism Organisation reacted by saying it was “shocked and horrified” and called for the international tourism community to support Egypt while the International Council of Tourism Partners condemned the attacks.

An estimated 9,000 British holidaymakers were in Sharm el-Sheik at the time and tour operators have laid on flights for those wanting to return home. Operators have given people booked to travel to the resort up to today the option to cancel or go elsewhere, a Federation of Tour Operators spokesman reportedly said.

The bombings are likely to have a severe impact on Egypt’s tourism business an come in the wake of attacks on tourist in Cairo earlier this year and bombs in Taba which left 34 dead last October.

An ABTA spokeswoman said some Britons had cut short their holidays but added: “Holiday companies are carrying on with tours to Sharm el-Sheik and to Egypt generally. Tour operators are in contact with the Foreign Office and with the Egyptian tourist office people who have assured us that security is being stepped up in Sharm el-Sheik.”

Suicide bombers were involved as three bombs went off in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Hotels and the town’s Old Market Square were among the targets as the popular resort was left devastated.

The Foreign Office set up a hotline at 0207 088 0000 for concerned relatives.

A statement from the FO said: “A number of bombs exploded in Sharm el-Sheik and nearby Naama Bay. Early reports indicate a large number of casualties, including some British nationals.”

The FO website says there is a “high threat of terrorism” in Egypt.

Sharm el-Sheik is one of the most popular resorts promoted by Egypt as part of the Red Sea Riviera and has enouraged many UK tour operators to increase coverage of the region.

Egypt saw tourist arrivals last year rise by two million or 34% over the previous year to eight million, according to the WTO.

WTO secretary general Francesco Frangialli said: “We have to try and make sure that terrorist attacks and threats do not spoil people’s holiday plans, wherever they may be going, and that Egypt is not abandoned as a destination.

“As we have seen recently, terrorits attacks can happen anywhere. People should not be discouraged from travelling.”

A joint statement by ICTP chairman Jurgen Steinmetz and president Geoffrey Lipman said: “Following the horredenous attacks in London, ICTP unequivocally aligned itself with the war or terror.

“We re-iterate that support after the new horror in Sharm el-Sheikh – clearly aimed at the growing toruist bridge to peace and reconciliation in the region.

“As in all wars, the cost in terms of human suffering is horrendous – innocent victims and their families. But there is only one message that must be sent to the perpetrators and that is the message of civilization against barbarism.

“Those who hide behind such cowardly acts are attacking one of the most fundamental rights every human is entitled to – the freedom to travel in peace.

“We shall have to continue to adapt our lidestyles while the terror continues – like it or not that includes travel for work or leisure. But we must only adapt in ways that strengthen our resolve to pursue the values that decent people gave espoused for centuries.

“Attackers aim to disrupt and casue fear. ICTP hopes that the travelling public sees through this aim and seizes every effort to fight back through increased vigilance and flexibility. The tourism industry is resilient, and travel is safe.”

Report by Phil Davies