Talking Points: Egypt Travel Warning (July 20, 2017)

Talking Points – Egypt

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The following Talking Points may be used in conversations with the media and clients when discussing security issues and travel to Egypt. (Updated July 20, 2017)

1. A U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Egypt remains in effect because of ongoing terrorist threats and high profile attacks.

2. Safety is our top priority for our clients.

3. We provide the facts so our clients can make an informed decision about their travel plans.

Below you will find additional information, supporting material, and statistics supporting each talking point.

1. A U.S. State Department Travel Warning for Egypt remains in effect because of ongoing terrorist threats and high profile attacks.

 On July 14, two German tourists were stabbed to death at a resort in Hurghada, near the Red Sea.

o Deutsche Welle reported that “The knifeman swam to the hotel from a public beach, Egyptian authorities said. He then killed the two women and wounded two other tourists at the Zahabia hotel before moving on to a neighboring beach to attack at least two more people at the Sunny Days El Palacio resort.”

o “No group claimed responsibility for the attack, but it appeared to have been inspired by recent calls made by the local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State group on its followers to attack Egypt’s minority Christians and foreign tourists,” said TIME.

 On April 10, 2017, explosions occurred at two Egyptian Coptic Christian churches.

o The BBC reports that “An explosion at St George’s Coptic church in Tanta killed 27 people. Hours later, a blast outside St Mark’s Coptic church in Alexandria left 17 dead. So-called Islamic State (IS) said it was behind the explosions, the latest in a series of attacks targeting the Christian minority in the country.”

o CNN reports that at least 49 people died and 78 people were injured in the explosions. Among the dead in Alexandria were four police officers.

o The attacks occurred on Palm Sunday, the start of the Christian Holy Week leading to Easter.

 “The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens to consider the risks of travel to Egypt due to threats from terrorist and violent political opposition groups.”

o “The Egyptian Government maintains a heavy security presence at major tourist sites in and around greater Cairo and Alexandria; at Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and other beach resorts on the Red Sea and the Mediterranean coast; and at many of the major temples and archaeological sites located in and around the Nile Valley cities of Luxor and Aswan, including Abu Simbel.”

o “For security reasons, U.S. Mission personnel are prohibited from traveling to the Western Desert and the Sinai Peninsula. Overland travel is not allowed anywhere in the Sinai Peninsula, but U.S. Mission personnel are permitted to

 

travel to and from Sharm El-Sheikh by air. Mission personnel are prohibited from visiting religious sites outside greater Cairo.”

o “Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere in the country, including major metropolitan areas. In early May, ISIS media threatened that places associated with Westerners, Christians, the Egyptian military or police, and Egyptian government facilities could be struck at any time. The northeastern Sinai Peninsula remains a particularly dangerous area, with frequent attacks on security forces and civilians.”

o “Due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Egypt, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR).”

 The United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not explicitly warn against travel to Egypt, noting, “Around 231,000 British nationals visited Egypt in 2016. Most visits are trouble-free.” But the FCO advises:

o “You should remain vigilant at all times and follow the advice of local security officials, including in and around religious sites and during religious festivals (including the holy month of Ramadan) when terrorist groups sometimes call for attacks. Take extra care over local holiday weekends, as some terrorist attacks have occurred during these times.”

o Against traveling to the North Sinai for any reason.

o Only essential travel to:

 “the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq; however, we advise against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh.”

 “the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, excluding the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh.”

 Global Affairs Canada “advises against non-essential travel to Egypt due to the unpredictable security situation. This advisory does not apply to the Red Sea coastal resorts of Hurghada (and its surroundings) and Sharm el-Sheikh, nor to the area from Luxor to Aswan along the upper Nile, where you should exercise a high degree of caution.”

2. Safety is our top priority for our clients.

 We highly recommend that U.S. citizens follow the advice of the State Department and register their international travel plans at https://step.state.gov/step. By entering information into the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), the Department of State can better assist travelers in an emergency.

 While no one can say with certainty that any destination is 100% safe, we strongly encourage our clients to use care and common sense – no matter where they travel – to maximize their safety and security. For example:

o Leave your itinerary, and passport data page, with a friend or family member back home so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

o Know and respect the laws in the country you are visiting.

o Follow your instincts and avoid any areas or situations that seem as though they could become dangerous.

 

o Remain alert to their surroundings at all times.

o Avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment. If caught unexpectedly near a demonstration, obey instructions from police and leave the area as quickly as possible.

o Do not display expensive looking jewelry, large amounts of money or other valuable items. Also, do not leave luggage unattended in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

o Check with your cell phone provider prior to departure to see if your phone is capable of roaming on GSM or 3G/4G international networks.

 We strongly encourage all of our clients, whether they are traveling domestically or internationally, to purchase travel insurance, particularly right at the same time as travel has been booked. Travel insurance offers an additional layer of protection for travelers and can potentially help save a traveler hundreds or thousands of dollars if a medical or travel emergency occurs.

3. We provide the facts so our clients can make an informed decision about their travel plans.

 We closely monitor the U.S. Department of State website for travel alerts as well as the more severe travel warnings for all destinations, including those that are most popular with our clients.

 Should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination, we alert clients who may be planning to travel there so they can determine for themselves if they still wish to travel.

 Also, should we become aware of an issue for a specific destination where a client is currently located; we try to immediately contact the client to check on their well-being and work to assist them if they require alternate travel arrangements.

 We are advocates for our clients; and they know that by working with a true travel professional, we are there for them before, during, and after their trip should they need us – which gives them peace of mind.