Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Russians spoiled New Year holiday

Russians spoiled New Year holiday
Media: Unrest in Egypt can ruin Russians Christmas holidayNew mass unrest in Egypt may spoil Russians Christmas holiday: a troubled situation deter tourists from Russia, who expected to host the winter holidays, writes "RBC daily".
The first clashes with the police, which then resulted in Arab revolution began in Egypt on January 25 2011., The newspaper reminds. The next day Russian Foreign Ministry recommended Russians to refrain from trips to Cairo and other cities, where there may be mass protests.
And two days later, and the agency advised to refrain from traveling to the Red Sea. This recommendation was canceled March 31, 2011., But flights to Egypt opened on April 4. As a result, the number of tourists last year fell by a third.
Last Friday in Cairo, Alexandria and other major cities of Egypt once again there were mass protests, affecting hundreds of people. Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 24 again recommended Russian tourists to refrain from traveling outside the resort areas in the country.
The spokesperson of the Federal Tourism Agency Irina Shchegolkova explained that on trips to major cities of Egypt, where the protests, it is better not to go, but to stay in the resort areas, where security-conscious tourists.
Foreign Ministry recommendations on trips to Egypt for nearly two years: the ministry not to cancel it, and just the other day reminded the Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) Maya Lomidze. According to them, all the while tour groups almost sent to Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.
According to ATOP, currently in Egypt are tens of thousands of Russian tourists, and in November and December in the country to go on holiday to some 200 thousand Russians. In this autumn of 2012. demand in Egypt rose by 10-15%. This trend is leading: in October it had 30.5% of requests, while being second in Thailand requested 16.8% willing to travel Russians (data analysis system Tourindex, held ATOP).
Tourists are very active in November booked tours to Egypt at the beginning of December and the New Year, said M.Lomidze. Now, however, in the segment of Christmas bookings may slump as alarming news may scare off customers.
But mass rejection of travel to Egypt experts do not expect. "From trips to Israel, where the situation was much anxiety, refused units, each tour numbered one or two canceled" - gave an example I.Schegolkova.
However, the situation in Egypt once again delay the restoration of tourist arrivals to the country for an indefinite period, believes M.Lomidze. While in November the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov predicted that in 2012. Egypt will visit some 2.5 million Russians, which is almost 75% more than last year.
Recall massive anti-government demonstrations were held in several cities in Egypt on 23 November. Egyptians are demanding the resignation of President Mohammed Mursi, who, according to the protesters, concentrated in his hands too much power.
Opponents M.Mursi set fire to several headquarters of the ruling Party of Freedom and Justice, the political wing of the movement "Muslim Brotherhood", represented by the Egyptian president. According to state television, in clashes M.Mursi opponents of the regime and the police have suffered.

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