Egypt is a spot each traveler should go to at the very least as soon as in a lifetime. However must you journey to this historical nation proper now?
Basically, Egypt is a secure place to go to. You might encounter petty crime and scams, however that’s the extent of crime on this nation.
Pickpockets are unquestionably a problem in Egypt’s main cities, notably in Cairo.
In terms of violent crime, it’s unusual, and also you shouldn’t be involved about getting mugged or robbed. If you end up on this situation, don’t be afraid to yell “Harami” (which suggests prison) and run after the one who robbed you.
Egypt is a reasonably secure nation to journey to in case you are in your guard and observe native cultural customs. Though the crime price in Egypt is low, watch out for pickpockets and scammers.
Nevertheless, in case you are visiting vacationer locations, particularly spiritual websites, think about the danger. Assaults on vacationer websites do happen, however when you verify native information sources concerning the menace scenario, keep away from massive crowds, be careful for spiritual or public festivals that would set off demonstrations or riots, and select to journey in a small group.
LATEST UPDATES / NEWS from Egypt:
June 30 – Throughout Eid al-Adha, EgyptAir will function 300 flights to vacationer locations
From June 26 to July 8, EgyptAir will function 300 domestic flights as a part of preparations for the Eid al-Adha vacation.
The corporate said that that is on the directions of the Minister of Civil Aviation, Mohamed Abbas Helmy, to additional strengthen and stimulate Egyptian home tourism.
In an announcement, EgyptAir mentioned it plans to function 300 flights between June 26 and July 8, together with 78 flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, 82 flights to Hurghada, 66 flights to Luxor and 74 flights to Aswan.
Could 24 – Egypt’s vacationer numbers grew by 33% as much as April 2023
In keeping with Amr El-Kady, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board, customer numbers to Egypt elevated 33% year-over-year from January 2023 to April 2023, with the North African nation concentrating on 15 million guests in 2023.
He famous that Europe, particularly Germany, is the primary supply market, including that the introduction of the 5-year multiple-entry vacationer visa is prone to result in a rise in vacationers.
El-Kady said that the opening day of the Grand Egyptian Museum can be introduced quickly.
March 31 – Egypt Introduces 5-Yr Visas to Enhance Tourism
Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said on Monday, 27 March, that it will likely be granting residents of 180 nations a multiple-entry visa legitimate for 5 years and costing USD 700 (EGP 21,000).
The brand new visa could be obtained on the airports in Egypt for vacationers who have already got a official visa from the UK, america, the Schengen area, Japan, or New Zealand.
The Ministry additionally declared that guests from China, India, and Turkey can get hold of a visa on the port of entry into Egypt, whereas Iranian and Israeli nationals can enter South Sinai and Hurghada with a visa on the port of entry, topic to prior association with journey businesses.
Widespread scams to pay attention to whereas in Egypt
1. Overpriced Gadgets Rip-off
This rip-off is typical when guests buy groceries, and it often happens in village markets when the service provider merely raises the value to make more cash, which is when you need to cut price. Negotiating boldly will prevent from overpaying and also will relieve pressure on the following vacationer.
2. Faux Cry Story Rip-off
The tales of faux weeping are limitless; you’ll continuously come throughout some impoverished particular person crying for cash as a result of they’ve misplaced somebody or somebody of their household is in poor health. Regardless of the story looks like, remember the fact that they’re professional con artists, and you need to not get carried away.
3. Seaside Scams
Some seashore scammers might steal your belongings as you swim within the Mediterranean or the Purple Sea. They merely take your belongings and flee to a location you’d by no means be capable of get, subsequently one of the best ways to keep away from that is to place your valuables in inns when you don’t have anyone to take care of your belongings whilst you take pleasure in your time within the sea.
4. Choose-pocketing
This has deep roots relationship again to the daybreak of time, and it solely grows higher with every passing yr. It is a fairly prevalent sort of rip-off that almost all vacationers fall sufferer to. The best technique to keep away from this nice rip-off is to depart your whole belongings and precise passport on the lodge and convey a photocopy with you.
5. Faux Tour Guides
That is one other basic vacationer rip-off in Egypt; you could continuously discover individuals exterior any transportation platform promising to indicate you round. Whether or not you’re touring alone or with companions, don’t put your belief in them since you is perhaps asking a robber to tour you round. When reserving a tour information, go together with the inns as a result of they’re extra actual.
6. Faux Taxi Operators
Cab drivers provide low cost rides to well-known vacationer spots, nevertheless it’s a rip-off. You have to see by the approach; nobody can be overly pleasant to over low-cost journey with out the objective of stealing from you. Preserve this in thoughts!
7. Faux Police
It’s tough to inform the distinction between the actual and the pretend, so observe their physique language after they ask on your credentials. Though it’s unusual, this vacationer scams do happen in Egypt. Whenever you discover one thing odd, kindly ask them to again off and threaten to cellphone the native station.
8. Faux Cashiers and Bartenders
This may occur to anybody at any time and with out warning. Even after paying, you can be advised that you simply didn’t pay on the native taverns and cafes. Whenever you pay with money, they may even state that you simply didn’t pay the entire quantity. This has the potential to go extraordinarily far, they usually might have accomplices. You have to double-check earlier than paying and select to pay by card, however be cautious together with your code.
Egypt – Stage 3: Rethink Journey
The U.S. authorities has issued a journey warning recommending vacationers “rethink journey to Egypt as a result of terrorism.” In keeping with the assertion, guests ought to “train elevated warning in Egypt as a result of Embassy’s restricted skill to help twin nationwide U.S.-Egyptian residents who’re arrested or detained.”
The embassy doesn’t advocate journey to:
- “The Sinai Peninsula (apart from journey to Sharm El-Sheikh by air) as a result of terrorism.
- The Western Desert as a result of terrorism.
- Egyptian border areas as a result of army zones.”
In keeping with the advisory, terrorists might assault diplomatic buildings, vacationer locations, transit hubs, markets, and retail malls, western firms, eating places, resorts, and native authorities buildings. Such assaults might happen with little or no discover.
Necessary suggestions to maintain in mind:
- Preserve an eye fixed out in areas frequented by Westerners.
- Keep away from crowds and demonstrations.
- Buy ample medical insurance coverage that features evacuation.
- Enroll within the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to obtain Alerts and assist emergency responders discover you extra simply.
- Comply with the State Division on Fb and Twitter.
- Study the Nation Safety Report for Egypt.
- Put together a contingency plan in case of an emergency. Evaluate the Traveler’s Guidelines.
Entry restrictions in Egypt
All vacationers to Egypt should current a vaccination certificates or a destructive PCR, Antigen Speedy Take a look at, or ID NOW take a look at outcome for COVID-19 with Fast Response (QR) code, taken at a most of 72 hours previous to their journeys to the nation.
Why go to Egypt in pandemic instances
There is just one main entry restriction in Egypt – to check destructive or current a vaccination certificates. Then, you might be all set to go. Go to the breathtaking Pyramids at Giza, the temples of Luxor, espresso locations round Cairo, or simply loosen up by a pool in a lodge resort. Egypt can be well-known for a few of the best diving spots on this planet.
Moreover, you may expertise fewer crowds than traditional. So why not go this summer time? Don’t overlook to take common precautions and comply with the newest COVID-related info to remain secure throughout your travels.
Replace archives:
March 2 – Egypt imposes new charges on vacationer venues
Asharq Enterprise said, citing the official Gazette, that Egypt has positioned new taxes on inns, vacationer amenities, eating places, and bazaars as of March 1st for the Tourism and Antiquities Help Fund.
The vacationer ministry’s choice entails levying a 1% tax, starting from EGP 5 to EGP 50 per evening, on inns and safari ships.
Because of this, bazaars should pay annual charges starting from EGP 5,000 to EGP 10,000 relying on their house.
Eating places and cafés should pay an annual charge ranging between EGP 4,000 and 5,000, plus an additional charge of EGP 3,000-5,000 in the event that they promote alcoholic drinks or hookahs.
Moreover, nightclubs can be charged an annual worth of EGP 20,000, tourism firms can be charged an annual charge of EGP 3,000-7,000, and vacationer buses, microbuses, and limos can be charged an annual charge of EGP 500-1000.
February 15 – Egypt tourism exhibits constructive indicators of restoration after Covid, says authorities.
Egypt’s economic system suffered considerably throughout COVID 19, however the Ministry of Tourism is investing billions of {dollars} within the sector to provide it a much-needed assist and propel it to new heights.
Early indicators are promising, and the primary quarter of 2022/2023 confirmed that Egyptian tourism has nice potential for restoration.
Egypt’s phenomenal historical past, mixed with simple visa insurance policies and reasonably priced costs, make the nation a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers.
January 27 – Egypt expects 52 million vacationers to go to the nation until 2026
In keeping with the Cupboard Info and Resolution Help Middle, Fitch Options expects an increase within the variety of vacationers visiting Egypt within the medium time period as the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian struggle fade.
In keeping with an infographic printed Monday on the outlook for Egypt’s tourism sector, the worldwide financial Establishment expects 52 million vacationers to go to Egypt by 2026. (11.5 million in 2023 – 13 million in 2024 – 13.5 million in 2025 – 14 million in 2026).
In the meantime, Tripadvisor has declared a number of Egyptian cities among the many finest vacationer points of interest on this planet, with Hurghada topping the listing of finest cities within the Center East and North Africa.
December 21 – Egypt will launch “Expertise Egypt” web site for vacationers in January 2023
In keeping with the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa, with a view to promote tourism, a new website referred to as “Expertise Egypt” can be launched in January 2023. The reason being that the ministry is making an attempt to enhance its technological providers.
He made the remarks on the first press convention he has given since his appointment earlier this yr. The minister defined that the ETBP’s advertising initiatives concentrate on 5 classes of potential vacationers: Household Journey, Cultural Journey, Leisure Journey, Journey Journey and the class that mixes leisure and tradition.
To realize the objective of 30 million vacationers per yr and $30 billion in income by 2030, Issa mentioned his ministry will concentrate on three axes or priorities within the coming years. These three axes are tripling the variety of airline tickets to Egypt, upgrading the customer expertise, and enhancing the atmosphere for vacationer funding.
November 30 – Egypt celebrates the Worldwide Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian Folks on November 29
In keeping with an announcement from the Ministry of International Affairs, Egypt celebrates today in help of the resilient individuals of Palestine and as affirmation that the Palestinian trigger continues to be alive and nicely in world boards and within the collective conscience of humanity, which helps the Palestinian individuals’s proper to self-determination and their official calls for.
The assertion went on to say that the Palestinian trigger has at all times been backed by the Egyptian authorities and folks out of historic obligation and because the first concern of the Arab nation.
November 10 – Egypt is obstructing human rights web sites at its Cop27
The convention’s web connection prevents access to the worldwide rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) in addition to different main information web sites required for info throughout the discussions.
HRW and Amnesty Worldwide will co-host a panel dialogue at Cop27, and each web sites can be out there over the convention wifi. The running a blog platform Medium, Egypt’s lone unbiased information group, Mada Masr, and the Qatari information station Al Jazeera are all on the listing of prohibited web sites.
Observers and convention contributors are involved that Egypt will achieve regulating what contributors within the remoted resort of Sharm el-Sheikh can see about Egypt’s decades-long crackdown on human rights, limiting their comprehension of the nation the place the talks are going down.
October 26 – Egypt Celebrates the COP27 local weather summit in a extremely secured vacationer resort in Egypt however many should not invited
Some well-known campaigners declare that the selection to carry the COP27 climate summit in a closely guarded resort in Egypt subsequent month, along with entry restrictions, is limiting the involvement of civil society within the gathering.
The primary annual U.N. local weather convention to be held following the relief of COVID-19 restrictions is going down from November 6–18 in Sharm el-Sheikh. Campaigners view it as an essential discussion board for sounding the local weather change alarm and placing stress on governments to take motion.
Nevertheless, they contend that in Egypt, the place activists have issue working legally as a result of a widespread crackdown on political dissent, it will likely be harder to precise their considerations by rallies and protests than they’ve in earlier host nations or cities. In Egypt, public demonstrations are basically banned.
October 4 – Egypt’s parliament has accredited a six-month extension of safety measures in Sinai.
On Saturday, Egypt’s Home of Representatives officially approved a six-month extension of the president’s proclamation imposing safety restrictions in sure areas of the Sinai Peninsula.
He said that the Home of Representatives helps all actions made by the Armed Forces below the management of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.
Terrorist assaults in North Sinai have decreased lately because of main safety and army operations.
Terrorists assault safety forces, primarily at army and police checkpoints, in addition to civilians, killing tons of.
September – Egypt is gearing up for a large UN Local weather Change Convention with a complete well being security plan
Egypt has been working 24/7 to prepare for the twenty seventh UN Local weather Change Convention, which can be attended by representatives of a number of totally different nations, tons of of environmental and different non-governmental organizations, and hundreds of individuals.
The nation is engaged on a far-reaching and complete plan to guard the well being of the hundreds of individuals anticipated to attend COP27, which can be held Nov. 6-18 within the Purple Sea metropolis of Sharm El-Sheikh in South Sinai.
In keeping with Minister of Well being and Inhabitants Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, the plan contains the operation of fastened and cell clinics in quarantine amenities at airports, inns that can host visiting delegations, and convention halls.
August 31 – Extrajudicial executions on the rise in North Sinai
Human Rights Watch reported at the moment that Egyptian armed forces and army-aligned militias combating an Islamic State (ISIS) affiliate in Egypt’s North Sinai seem to have perpetrated contemporary arbitrary murders of random individuals throughout latest combating.
In July and August 2022, movies and pictures circulated totally on social media teams representing army-affiliated militias, depicting three extrajudicial deaths of chained or injured prisoners in custody, which violate worldwide humanitarian regulation and would quantity to struggle crimes.
“Military-affiliated militias in Egypt’s North Sinai have been circulating movies apparently to brag about executing shackled males in captivity,” mentioned Adam Coogle, deputy Center East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The pervasive lack of accountability for largely lawless army operations in North Sinai over the previous decade have fostered such atrocities.”
September 19 – Egypt not on the U.Okay. COVID-19 ‘crimson listing’
As of Wednesday, September 22, Egypt can be faraway from the U.Okay.’s coronavirus ‘crimson listing.’ It signifies that vacationers arriving from Egypt to the U.Okay. will not must endure a 10-day lodge quarantine at their very own bills.
The announcement was made on the British authorities’s on-line information to its COVID-19 journey rules on Friday, September 17. As Egypt strikes to the much less strict ‘amber listing,’ passengers arriving from there should take a PCR take a look at three days earlier than their journey. Additionally, they need to endure additional testing after arrival.
Vacationers who should not vaccinated should full a 10-day residence quarantine and take a look at on days 2 and eight after coming into the nation.
Supply: Egyptian Streets
