Russian tour operators urge to stop registration to Egypt flights

"We sent a letter to the Ministry of Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Transport, asking them to stop registration to the flights going to Egypt. Otherwise tourist companies will be held responsible for any development of events. We hope the response will be positive," she said.

Ms. Lomidze reminded that "the situation was similar in Tunisia, although a state of emergency was imposed on that country, and the registration to flights going to Tunisia was stopped. Tour operators believe the same should be done with regard to Egypt."

According to Ms. Lomidze, some 40,000 Russian tourists are staying in Egypt. "Still there are many people who wish to go to that country," she added. Ms. Lomidze stressed that "many telephone calls were made to RATO over the past few days both from tourists and from tour operators, who said they would like to go to Egypt and asked what they should do for that and what flight they should take."

Commenting on the impact of the developments in the administrative centres of Egypt on the tourist market, she said that "the developments certainly made a strong impact, and not a positive one." Ms. Lomidze said Egypt was the most popular country for tourists, especially this year, and the current developments undermined the market.

According to her information "the situation is peaceful in health resorts, and there is no threat to the life and health of Russian tourists."

According to representatives of tourist companies, some people do cancel their trips to Egypt, but not many. "Out of 5,000 clients, only 20 people in Hurghada and 17 people in Sharm el-Sheikh expressed the desire to leave Egypt," said Intourist Director-General Viktor Topolkarayev. "Tour operators are doing their best for persuading tourists not to go to Egypt, but they cannot forbid their clients to do that", Kazinform cites Itar-Tass. See www.itar-tass.com