An edited version of this story first appeared in DNASunday edition on January 30, 2011.
Smitha Nair (name changed on request) and her fiance had planned an April honeymoon trip to Egypt post their March wedding. However, the couple has now decided to call it off and travel elsewhere instead after the news of political unrest there making it to the headlines.
While potential Indian visitors to Egypt are cancelling their travel plans and considering other destinations, those already in the country are working out ways to get out to safer destinations. However, with all modes of communication including internet and mobile phones being shut down, Indians in Egypt are having a tough time connecting with their family members, travel service providers back home.
Ashwini Kakkar, vice chairman, Mercury Travels, said his office has been busy tracking their customers in Egypt especially after all the violence that began post Friday night prayers. Though some of their clients have chosen to stay a few others have decided to come back.
“Quite a few of our customers are currently in Egypt and we are trying to locate their whereabouts. A honeymoon couple has been moved out of Cairo and is currently on the Nile River Cruise post which they will be heading to Sharm El Sheikh. Another family consisting of senior citizens wanted to come back and we have managed to put them on a flight back to India. Efforts are being made to get in touch with an Ahmedabad-based family currently in Egypt, hopefully we should be able to connect with them soon,” Kakkar said.
Egypt's instability is clearly spelling trouble for the country's travel and tourism industry in 2011 more so because December to March and to some extent April is considered to be a business season. A very popular destination for holiday, honeymoon and lately business conference related travel for Indians, industry experts are of the opinion that the current business season has being ruined already.
According to leading travel companies including the likes of Thomas Cook, Cox & Kings, Kuoni Travels and Akbar Travels nothing untoward has been reported with Indian tourists in Egypt so far. However, they were not in a position to give out details in terms of number of Indians currently in Egypt, cancellations being witnessed in the last 24 hours and possible remedies being adopted for Indian tourists stuck in this situation.
Travel trade experts however are of the opinion that approximately 250,000 Indians visit Egypt every year and at any given day there would be a minimum of 1,000 Indians visiting the country on business or leisure.
According to a PTI report, the embassy of Indian in Cairo has said that nationals in Egypt, which is witnessing violent protests since last four days, are safe but advised its people against travelling to that country. "The embassy of India in Cairo, is in touch with members of the Indian community, who are reported to be safe. There are about 3,600 people of Indian origin (PIO) in Egypt, of which some 2,200 are in Cairo. In view of the prevailing situation in Egypt, Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Egypt for the present...," a statement by the external affairs ministry said. Indian embassy has also set-up a round-the-clock control room for information, the statement said.
Responding to an email query a spokesperson for Thomas Cook UK & Ireland said, “We continue to monitor the situation in Egypt and are in close contact with the FCO. Our experienced teams on the ground assure us that no tourist areas at the Red Sea have been affected in any way by the recent demonstrations. They are fully operational and holidaymakers are continuing to enjoy the popular resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.” However, as a precautionary measure, Thomas Cook UK & Ireland has cancelled its excursions from the Red Sea resorts to Cairo up to and including February 2, 2011.
Travel trade experts however are of the opinion that approximately 250,000 Indians visit Egypt every year and at any given day there would be a minimum of 1,000 Indians visiting the country on business or leisure.
According to a PTI report, the embassy of Indian in Cairo has said that nationals in Egypt, which is witnessing violent protests since last four days, are safe but advised its people against travelling to that country. "The embassy of India in Cairo, is in touch with members of the Indian community, who are reported to be safe. There are about 3,600 people of Indian origin (PIO) in Egypt, of which some 2,200 are in Cairo. In view of the prevailing situation in Egypt, Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to Egypt for the present...," a statement by the external affairs ministry said. Indian embassy has also set-up a round-the-clock control room for information, the statement said.
Responding to an email query a spokesperson for Thomas Cook UK & Ireland said, “We continue to monitor the situation in Egypt and are in close contact with the FCO. Our experienced teams on the ground assure us that no tourist areas at the Red Sea have been affected in any way by the recent demonstrations. They are fully operational and holidaymakers are continuing to enjoy the popular resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.” However, as a precautionary measure, Thomas Cook UK & Ireland has cancelled its excursions from the Red Sea resorts to Cairo up to and including February 2, 2011.
A Cox & Kings spokesperson said, “We do not have people travelling to Egypt at this point in time. And those booking a holiday hereafter are being advised to assess the situation before finalising their bookings.”
Manoj Gursahani, chairman, Travelmart, said that while serious travellers are not holding back their plans, it is better to wait and watch and take a call accordingly. “In case of Egypt, we have not come across any tourist reactions at the moment. It would depend more on how things shape-up in the coming weeks and the media attention that it attracts,” he said. On possibilities of ticket prices getting impacted, he added, “Cutting ticket prices will only happen in case of prolonged strikes. For instance, the situation in Thailand, ticket prices were impacted significantly,” he added.
The Indian travel fraternity also expressed that people these days do not opt for a travel insurance and that they should have it while travelling overseas. “With uncertain eventualities like the one in Egypt, it is largely advised to have a travel insurance in place to avoid any loss in case of cancellations etc,” asserted Kakkar.
The Indian travel fraternity also expressed that people these days do not opt for a travel insurance and that they should have it while travelling overseas. “With uncertain eventualities like the one in Egypt, it is largely advised to have a travel insurance in place to avoid any loss in case of cancellations etc,” asserted Kakkar.
On the air travel front, the country's national carrier Egypt Air, Emirates and Etihad Airways form the key carriers for Indian travellers visiting Egypt. While Egypt Air couldn't be reached, Emirates and Etihad Airways are offering passengers relief flights for those looking to cut-short their travel, as a special case situation. However, both Etihad Airways and Emirates have been operating flights on the planned schedule, with no major changes.
“At this stage, all scheduled flights to Cairo and Alexandria are operating as planned, however customers are advised to check the airline's website for the latest updates. Etihad is also working closely with the UAE authorities to operate two special relief flights to Cairo today and overnight to help accommodate passengers in Egypt that wish to return to Abu Dhabi, and is currently assessing opportunities to provide additional relief flights over the coming days,” said the spokesperson from Etihad Airways.
Emirates, however has rescheduled a couple of flights departing from Cairo. While, there have been delays, the airline has confirmed that it will continue to operate flights from and to Cairo on full schedule. “Due the political unrest in Egypt, some of Emirates’ flights have been rescheduled to allow passengers, staff and crew to travel to and from Cairo International Airport. Emirates can confirm, that as of Jan 29th, flights from and to Cairo will continue to operate a full schedule,” said the Emirates spokesperson.
On a precautionary note, the travel trade fraternity is of the opinion that Indian travellers looking to continue with their plans of visiting Egypt should wait for another week or 10 days at least to analyse the overall situation and then travel if at all they have to.
(My DNA Money colleagues, Lison Jacob and Amritha Pillay contributed to this story)
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