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Discover Egypt calms fears over unrest

Egypt specialist operator Discover Egypt said it remains confident bookings will hold up to the destination despite a slight dip since violent protests began.


Commercial director Philip Breckner said the operator had taken calls from concerned customers but it has not made any cancellations as yet.


He said: “We have spoken to people over the telephone who are concerned. We have tried to allay their fears and we understand their anxieties. We can offer alternatives if people ask.”


Breckner added: “We have not had any cancellations and we have taken new bookings in the last two days but there has been a slight dip.”


He stressed that most hotels in downtown Cairo were not used by tourists and that foreign travellers were unlikely to be staying in the vicinity of demonstrations planned for today (Friday).


Thousands of people are expected to take to the streets across the country to protest against the 30-year rule of president Hosni Mubarak.


Protestors have warned it will be the biggest day of demonstrations, as crowds gather after Friday prayers.


Egypt’s interior ministry said it will take “decisive measures” against anti-government protests and has already deployed special operations forces.


The government warning comes after deadly clashes with police that have killed at least five people on the third day of violence across the country.


Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry Messenger services have been interrupted, and protesters also voiced fears over mobile phone and internet access being cut during the day.


Breckner added that Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice for the country was largely unchanged except for warnings to avoid political gatherings today.


“The FCO advice has not changed materially. People are understandably concerned but we are 100% confident in our local operations and management that will advise us accordingly with information to pass on to customers. I am not overly concerned at the moment.”


Discover Egypt sends around 8,000 passengers a year to Egypt and is part of the All Leisure Group.



 

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