Germany’s foreign office announced on Sunday that it is no longer warning its citizens against land travel to southern Sinai regions, particularly the tourist regions of Dahab, Nuweiba and Saint Catherine.
Hans Joerg Haber, Germany’s ambassador to Cairo, said he was relieved to deliver the announcement, adding that it would bolster much-needed tourism in the Red Sea, especially considering the upcoming Berlin International Tourism Bourse slated for 4-8 March.
Haber indicated that while his country gives utmost priority to the security of its citizens, it is fully aware of the impact travel warnings have on tourism in Egypt.
The foreign office had previously issued a land travel warning to South Sinai regions until 27 February. Last July, it lifted the travel warning for the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Travel warnings for North Sinai, especially the border areas, remain in place.
The Sinai Peninsula has seen a surge in Islamist extremist influence since the ousting of former President Mohamed Morsy in 2013, with several deadly attacks waged against police and army forces since then.
The unstable security situation in Sinai have prompted several countries to restrict traveling to the peninsula, with some cancelling the warnings at a later date, depending on improvements in security.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
