Popularity of Nile cruises hits high as Egypt bookings soar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journal: TWUK	Section:
Title:	Issue Date: 21/08/00
Author:	Page Number: 25
Copyright: Other

 

 

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Popularity of Nile cruises hits high as Egypt bookings soar

NILE cruise trips have soared by 360% this year due to a resurgence in bookings to Egypt, according to British Airways Holidays.

 

Egypt's river cruise business was severely damaged by the massacre in Luxor in 1997 but the destination seems to have staged a recovery since the incident. BAH said 55% of its overall customers to Egypt book a river cruise as part of their trip but it declined to reveal the exact figures.

 

Its most popular cruise itinerary is a seven-night trip between Luxor and Aswan on the five-star ship Ra II, which costs from £605 per person including flights and meals on board. The company also operates a four-night cruise across Lake Nasser, which starts at £989 per person including flights and a three-night stay in Cairo.

 

BAH plans to increase capacity to Egypt by taking an allocation of 30 seats a week on an Air 2000 charter from Gatwick to Luxor from November. Product manager Carol Miles said: "A charter was necessary to enable us to keep up with demand into Luxor. Egypt has well and truly made a comeback.”