Dahab Update

Re: Dahab Update

Hello Robert,

Thank you for that update, I had been frantically trying to phone friends in Egypt & had been unable to make contact via the phone.

I am so pleased no one from ImTrav was involved with these blasts. But our thoughts & prayers must go to those who are injured & who have lost their lives.

Do the people who commit these crimes think of the local people who will now lose their incomes if the tourists stay away??? What is their true objective???

Once again, thanks for keeping us informed.....Debbie.

Re: Dahab Update

Thank you Rob for the update.

Is there any news on the staff of Al Capones?

thank you

Re: Dahab Update

[quote]Originally posted by robtrav:
[b] We at The Imaginative Traveller would like to thank you all for your concerns and thoughts with regards to the bombings in Dahab last night. Fortunately none of our groups or tour leaders were involved. We have a few groups who were due to arrive in Dahab today who are currently being rerouted.

We are closely monitoring the situation, please keep an eye on the forums for any updates.

Once again thank you for all your emails and forums.

Regards [/b][/quote]

Re: Dahab Update

Hi

Sorry I can't work out how to do a new post... but guess this topic is kinda relevant!

We're booked on the Jordan & Egypt Adventure, but are worried about the unrest. Albeit we were well aware of the risk of terrorism, it is different when it happens the week you're going and twice in a matter of days too... it would be nice to hear anyone else's thoughts whose on the same trip leaving 30th or soon!

Yvie (worried chicken of London)

Re: Dahab Update

Hi Yvie,

I'm headed to Egypt on the Nile Safari on May 7th. The tour doesn't go to the Sinai peninsula, but I've been hearing lots from my family and friends about going to Egypt at all with everything that's happened this past week and thought I'd share my rationale for going forward, in case it helped you.

First of all, you're not a "worried chicken"! It is scary and you've got every reason to be nervous; I know that I am! But I've done a couple of other things that probably seemed ill-advised (i.e. flying within a month of 9/11 and visiting Madrid a week or so after the bombings there in 2004) and my feeling has always been that security and vigilance are heightened after these events occur, not only by authorities, but by the everyday people around you who don't want to be victims of this crime, either. There were two bombings in the same region in this case, but their targets appear to be very different.

Also, from what I've read, tourism is a major part of the Egyptian economy, so the government and the industry are highly incented to protect tourists and ensure that they continue to visit their country. Plus, you're traveling with a tour group that knows the region and which I'm sure would think twice about sending their staff into harm's way. Were I travelling alone or with a less-experienced company, I might be more wary of going, but to me, the fact that they have enough confidence to let the tour go on makes me breathe easier.

Ultimately, you've got to do what you're comfortable with - you won't enjoy your trip otherwise - and especially consider how you'll feel in that environment in addition to your safety concerns. Madrid was somber, but the mood didn't way too heavily on my trip whereas as a former New Yorker, seeing the city without the Twin Towers just about broke my heart.

I'm definitely still nervous, but for me, the excitement of going (I've never been to Egypt before) and the feeling that I'm doing something to help the Egyptians by being there and supporting their industry outweighs my fear, but absolutely do what you feel is best for you. Anyone who calls you chicken for that is just crazy and you should tell them so!

Best regards and I hope you have a wonderful trip if you do decide to go!
Melissa

Re: Dahab Update

Here, here, well said Melissa! I completely agree with your sentiments, especially those regarding the importance of Tourism to the Egyptian economy. It is vital that we are tourists, do not abandon a country because of the actions of a minority as this would be to further punish the majority of the wonderful and beautifully hospitable population.

If anyone has any question regarding any aspect of the bombings, whether it be their impact on our tour or the situation in Dahab, please do not hesitate in contacting me and I will do all I can.

All the best wishes,

Robert

Re: Dahab Update

I'm in the same boat as you Yvie. I'm leaving tomorrow to go on the Egypt Jordan Caravan April 30th departure(similar itinerary as your trip). I'm concerned about the situation (and my mom is freaking out!), but it's not going to stop me from getting on the plane.

I could just as easily be a victim of terrorism here at home as over in Egpyt or anywhere else. I don't really think anywhere is safe, so there's no sense in letting it scare me from living life. I worked too hard to save up the money to go on this trip and see things I never thought I'd see.

Re: Dahab Update

Thanks melissa, ballu. It's helped just to hear from you guys... most of my mates have been the other way round and my head hurts from all the thinking!! You know all the arguments, but constantly go up and down - I'm up for it now though!

I know ImTrav wouldn't put us in danger carelessly and I have huge amounts of sympathy for those who have to live with this on a daily basis; but Rob man I have to say about your comments - personal safety is just as important as the tourism dollar - after all we all plan to do loads of travelling in our lives and if we don't look after ourselves ad well as the countroes we visit; we may not get to spend the dollar as often (in other deserving economies).

Re: Dahab Update

Hey Yvie,

Thanks for your post.

Sorry if I did not emphasise, or indeed mention at all, the importance of personal safety in this issue, which it goes without saying is paramount to Imaginative Traveller. We would never dream of sending travellers to an area of the world regarded as unsafe by the FCO or our Destination Managers and I believe our current policy towards Nepal reflects this. Perhaps the fact that issues of personal safety are not the first concerns that spring into my mind when events of this nature take place caused me to temporarily overlook and fail to emphasise Imaginative Traveller's policy.

I hope this reassures you and I hear that the Egyptian authorities have now reopened Dahab following an immediate closure after the attacks and have some suspects in custody.

All the best wishes,

Robert

Re: Dahab Update

Hello Everyone,

Whilst I'm not in the position of travelling to Egypt in the near future......I wish I was.I thought I would cast some of my own thoughts on this topic.

Firstly I have travelled with ImTrav from 1999 until my last trip in Dec '03 Jan '04. In those years I can honestly state that OUR safety is ImTrav's first priority. After all if anything happens to us as consumers, what happens to their business?? Think about it. ImTrav has local staff who maintain constant contact with all issue's of safety from a sole travellers health to a countries political status.

Secondly I can personally state that Egypt is probably one of the "safest" countries in the world to travel in. (Is there any such thing as "safe" anymore??) Wherever you go, there are armed personnel...everywhere.

I know these recent events have put everyone on edge. BUT how can we allow these people to dictate our lives? How can we allow them to ruin the lives of the people in these countries that they are USING for their own agendas?? If these attacks are really aimed at Westerners, why is it that many more local people lost their lives, than tourists?

The majority of Egyptians are against these violent attacks. In fact if we were there now, most would be apologising for what has happened.

Now I am not saying blindly go tearing off. What I am saying is, always travel with a reputable company. Always be aware of where you are & whats going on around you. Always dress sensibly, for the area you're in. Make your decision to travel after taking in all information of that country & it's regions. If you don't think you can go to that country & have a "holiday".....then don't go.

But most of all, if you decide to travel to Egypt, remember to pack your sense of humour & an open heart. The Egyptians are one of the most welcoming race of people in the world. If you show them respect & kindness they will give it back threefold.

IF I were in the position where I was booked for a tour in Egypt in the near future. I wouldn't hesitate, I would still get on that plane & head off. Yes others at home will try to put fear in your heart & mind, but once you are there for a few days, you will see that those fears were unfounded. We are all at risk, even in our own countries, so weigh up the facts & make the best decision for YOU.

Finally, if you go ahead with your holiday, have a wonderful time. As always, I wish I were going too!! Kindest regards........Debbie.