Clients can experience the Nile without the crowds, says Jeannine Williamson
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For centuries, taking a boat was the only way to travel around Egypt, and as I watched the warm breeze fill the triangular sail of the passing felucca – traditional wooden vessels that have been used on the Nile since antiquity – it was like being transported back in time.
While Egypt’s beguiling sights remain the same, the one thing that was very different during my visit in May from my last trip several years ago was the lack of crowds – a bonus for visitors but a blow for locals who depend on tourism for their income.
The country’s recent political unrest has taken a heavy toll. At one time, UK visitor figures regularly topped the one million mark, but they dipped to 955,344 last year. Between 2010 and 2012, the number of UK passengers cruising on the Nile fell from 58,000 to 28,000.
The Brits that I spoke to during my trip had no qualms whatsoever about visiting, and I felt safe everywhere I went. The Egypt Tourism Authority (ETA) is emphasising the fact that the ban on travel to Luxor and Aswan – the key destinations for a Nile cruise – was lifted in November 2013, and to help put visitors’ minds at rest enhanced security measures are in place at the popular Red Sea resorts in and around Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office currently warns against any travel to the north of the Sinai Peninsula, which is well off the tourist track and represents only a small corner of the country.
Omayma El Husseini, the ETA’s UK and Ireland director, says: “Despite reports, the tourism industry is gaining momentum, and the current discounted prices will steadily rise to what they used to be.
Recent boosts, such as Tui reinstating its weekly Gatwick-Luxor service, plus EgyptAir flying direct from Manchester to Luxor, clearly demonstrate an increase in demand for travel to Egypt. We are already seeing inbound tourist numbers increasing, so the message is clear: ‘For great value, book now.’”
A five-hour flight from London, Egypt’s diverse offering includes the landmark sights of the Pyramids, Sphinx, Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple, as well as some of the world’s best dive sites at the Red Sea, activities such as golf and watersports, or fly-and-flop holidays at an increasing number of all-inclusive properties.
Egypt is definitely open for business and, as the tourism industry recovers, clients are benefiting from great-value deals.
Go with the flow
The classic Luxor to Aswan cruise is a relaxing way to take in sights such as the temples of Luxor and Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon statues and the high dam. Days float by at a leisurely pace and meals will feature typical Egyptian cuisine, with dinner often followed by belly dancing and musical entertainment.
As the Red Sea resorts are only a 50-minute flight from the capital, it is easy to combine a Nile cruise with a beach holiday, or to take a multi-centre break that includes Cairo, Luxor, the ancient city of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, a Nile cruise and Red Sea resort.
I travelled with Red Sea Holidays, the largest independent tour operator to Egypt from the UK. Committed to regenerating tourism, the company was involved in negotiations with EgyptAir for the reintroduction of the direct Heathrow-Luxor flight in April.
Its new Nile cruise programme is based on the scheduled flights, and the operator will look to expand the programme as charter airlines return to the market. And once tourism picks up, its all-inclusive vessel Grand Rose will be exclusively sold to the British market.
Red Sea’s marketing consultant, Grahame Gorie, says: “Egypt represents guaranteed sunshine, a high-quality product and good value for money. Clients are getting a five-star cruise at a good price in the current trading situation. The main excursions are included and clients can upgrade with additional excursions, such as a Nubian village tour.”
What’s new?
A major attraction unveiled in Luxor will help revitalise tourism. Opened in March, the exact replica of Tutankhamun’s tomb is located next to the historic home of Howard Carter, the British archaeologist who discovered the real thing in 1922.
Close to the Valley of the Kings, where the boy king’s tomb is located, the facsimile also includes fascinating old photographs and information about the original excavation, and a visit can be combined with a tour of Carter’s house.
While clients might initially question the value of seeing a replica, the recreated burial chamber is indistinguishable from King Tut’s tomb and access is far easier, particularly for people with mobility problems or those who want to avoid the heat of the Valley of the Kings. Plus, experts say the ancient burial chamber has been damaged by thousands of visitors and some have called for it to be closed to the public.
Red Sea Holidays and Discover Egypt have added excursions to the recreated tomb to their Nile cruise itineraries.
In Cairo, more than £2 million is being spent on improving the gateway to the Pyramids at Giza. A redevelopment of the road infrastructure is already under way. A project near Haram Street, which leads to the pyramids, will include 280 bazaar stalls, shops, restaurants and cafes.
German Hotel group Steigenberger has increased its presence in Hurghada with the Aqua Magic Hotel. Opened in January, the 707-room property has nine restaurants and a water park with slides and a lazy river. There are 294 family suites that have a separate children’s bedroom.
The Aqua Magic Hotel, as well as Steigenberger’s other property in Hurghada, the Al Dau Beach Hotel, is sold by Thomas Cook.Red Sea Holidays launched a Nile marketing campaign in January and has promotions and trade shows planned for the rest 2014. It runs regular land and cruise-based fams, and agents benefit from online and in-house training.
The ETA recently launched its official UK Facebook page, which provides travel information, updates and tips for planning a holiday to Egypt. LoveEgyptUK will also host polls and competitions to inspire engagement among the page’s community.
The tourism authority, which hosts regular fams, launched an e-learning programme last month with Online Travel Training. The course will show agents what Egypt offers to both potential and returning holidaymakers.
The first 100 agents who complete the course will be entered into a draw for an all-expenses paid holiday to Egypt. There will also be quarterly competitions to win trips.
Sample product
Red Sea Holidays offers a seven-night Nile cruise in a river-view cabin from £599, including EgyptAir flights and complimentary UK airport lounge access. The price includes 10 excursions and full-board accommodation with soft and local alcoholic drinks.
A 14-night Egyptian Adventure itinerary, including seven nights in Hurghada combined with Cairo, Aswan, Alexandria and a three-night Nile cruise, starts at £1,485. The price includes flights and half-board accommodation on land and all-inclusive on the cruise.
redseaholidays.co.uk
0845 072 2477
