A number of travel agencies in Hurghada are threatening to suspend their daily flights to archaeological sites in Luxor due to what they say are recurring incidents of tourists being harassed in the Upper Egyptian city.
The threats come in response to what tourism workers say are repeated complaints of harassment by tourists of different nationalities, especially women. The complaints blame in particular street vendors at Luxor's temples and archaeological sites, specifically in the city's West Bank area.
Travel agency owners and tour guides are demanding the interior and tourism ministers, the head of the Chamber of Travel Agencies and Tourism, and the Luxor governor intervene to protect tourists during their visits to the West Bank and prevent vendors from operating at archaeological sites.
Saber Ouda, the owner of a travel agency, told Al-Masry Al-Youm a number of female tourists complained that street vendors had harassed and robbed them at the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, which is located in the West Bank. Ouda added that one of the tourists is demanding compensation from his company.
Ouda complained that the vendors direct indecent insults and curses at the tourists when they refuse to buy their goods. He added that his company is considering canceling trips to Luxor until tourist security is restored.
Tour guide Julia Hans said many German tourists had complained to her recently after they returned home. She said her company will have to halt flights from Hurghada to Luxor until the authorities get the street vendors under control.
Wael Ibrahim, Luxor's top tourism official, said the governor, the Luxor security director and the head of Luxor's tourism authority have held more than 12 meetings to discuss removing street vendors from the areas around the city's temples and monuments. He added these meetings failed to produce any solutions and that the problem still continues, threatening tourism in the area.
Ibrahim said the majority of tourists stressed after their visits to the West Bank that they will not return again. Ibrahim called for Egypt's ruling military council to intervene to secure the area.
About 3,000 tourists of different nationalities travel from Hurghada and Safaga to Luxor daily to visit tourist attractions.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
