A UK travel agent living in Luxor has told of her fears for tourism businesses in the destination and called for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to change its advice.
Tina Hammond, who has a GoCruise franchise, told Travel Weekly she believes Luxor is safe and it is essential that the FCO acts quickly and stops advising against all but essential travel to Luxor.
Hammond, who has lived in Luxor for five years, said she fears many local businesses will fail if the FCO takes too long to act.
“It is really sad to see so many boats out on the rivers waiting for the tourists to return,” she said. “Everyone’s businesses are suffering, hotels are empty – there are next to no tourists.
“I can’t understand why the FCO won’t change its advice. Luxor is safe – the military is here protecting us all and our churches.
“This is killing tourism and now I’m just afraid that when the ban is lifted, there will be nothing left for people to see.”
Hammond said tourists were mainly put off because they were currently unable to get travel insurance due to the FCO advice.
She has been attending committee meetings set up by Luxor’s new governor Tarek Saad El-din aimed at solving tourism issues in Luxor.
The committee, which is mainly made up of expats with an interest in tourism, meets once a month.