Trade rocked by blast

OPERATORS to Egypt fear a downturn in sales following last week’s car bomb that killed at least 30 people in the Rea Sea resort of Taba.

Two further explosions in Ras Shaiton and Nuweiba followed the Taba bomb, which blew up the five-star Hilton hotel.

Two Britons were killed and more than 100 people were injured in the Taba blast. Seven people were killed in the Ras Shaiton and Nuweiba blasts.

Despite the Foreign and Commonwealth Office not advising against travel to the country, operators fear the incidents will hit sales to Egypt, a destination rising in popularity following increased tourism investment.

Longwood Holidays managing director Rafi Caplin said the operator had 19 clients staying in the Hilton, but none was hurt by the blast and all are staying in alternative accommodation.

Egypt specialist Peltours had more than 500 customers in the resort of Taba, but none at the Hilton.

For 48 hours after the incident customers were allowed to cancel or amend bookings for travel to the end of October free of charge. Normal booking conditions now apply.

Sales and marketing director Darren Panto said: “The bomb will have an impact but we are confident it will be short lived.”

Argo Holidays sales and marketing director Theo Demetriou – which operates to Sharm el-Sheikh – said calls started coming in from concerned customers the morning after the explosions, although there have been no cancellations.

“Sharm is 160 miles from Taba but people are bound to be apprehensive,” he said.

Caplin urged operators to continue supporting Taba in its darkest hour. “Operators must stand by Taba and not pull out at the first incident,” he said.

Cadogan Travel senior travel consultant Sonia Stephens, who has just returned from two weeks in Taba, said: “Taba is a great destination. It was starting to become popular but bookings will now suffer.”

Egyptian tourism minister Ahmed El Maghraby claimed the bombs, believed to be the work of Palestinian militants, were not targeted at the country’s tourism industry.