Al-Masry Al-Youm has monitored the stagnant tourist movement in Hurghada over the past two weeks, following the suspension of Russian flights to Egypt after the October 31 plane crash.
The usual crowding of Russian tourists at the arrival hall of the Hurghada airport has now shifted to the departure hall, as tourists wait for Russian planes to take them home. Their luggage goes on cargo planes, as it is forbidden on passenger planes.
Sources said 60,000 Russian tourists were flown back home on 300 regular and chartered flights.
Mohamed al-Hawary, who works at a travel agency catering to the European and Russian markets, said 10,000 Russian tourists used to arrive everyday. “Now, we only see a few Germans, Polish and British tourists,” he said.
Hotel occupancy rates have fallen by 20 to 30 percent, forcing the management at many hotels to temporarily lay off staff. Additionally, one day excursions to Luxor, desert safaris and diving trips have all been suspended.
Bazaar owners have asked the governor to intervene for them with the hotels in order to relieve them of their rent or link the rent to occupancy rates.
“I pay LE20,000 per month,” said George Abdallah. “I will have to close my bazaar.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
